Phd Student

Join the newly established Barrier Immunity Laboratory
- Fully funded PhD in computational biology and mucosal barrier immunology
- World Class research facilities

**About QIMR Berghofer**:
QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading translational medical research institute focused on improving health by developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies, specifically in the areas of Cancer, Infection and Inflammation, Brain and Mental Health, and Population Health. Based in Herston, Brisbane and working in close collaboration with clinicians and other research institutes, QIMR Berghofer is home to more than 600 scientists, students and non-research staff.

**About the Barrier Immunity Laboratory**:
The Barrier Immunity Laboratory is a newly established lab within the Infection and Inflammation Program. Our lab investigates how epithelial cells maintain immune homeostasis and barrier function at mucosal tissues, with a particular focus on the gut and lung. We combine cutting-edge organoid co-culture systems with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to understand the complex cellular ecosystems at mucosal interfaces during health and disease.

**Role Purpose / Responsibilities**:
Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position to build a unified cross-tissue atlas of mucosal barrier tissues. This project will integrate single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and microbiome profiling to uncover conserved and tissue-specific cellular programs.
- Conduct original research leading to the preparation and submission of a doctoral thesis.
- Develop and implement scalable computational pipelines for processing and integrating single-cell and multi-modal datasets.
- Maintain accurate research records, data documentation, and reproducible code repositories.
- Contribute intellectually to the project through data interpretation, presentations, and preparation of manuscripts for publication.
- Collaborate with supervisors, lab members, and external partners, and participate in regular supervision meetings, seminars, and thesis committee reviews.

**About you**:
**Essential**:

- A bachelor’s degree with honours or a master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or a related field
- Excellent academic record and prior relevant research experience
- Strong programming skills, especially with Python and genomics or transcriptomics data
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaborative research teams with enthusiasm and curiosity

**Desirable**:

- Experience with single-cell RNA sequencing or spatial transcriptomics
- Familiarity with microbiome data analysis and multi-omics integration
- Prior knowledge and strong interest in immunology or barrier tissue biology

**Remuneration**:
**Closing Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025**

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid visa with study rights.

**What we offer**:

- Exceptional research training and career development opportunities
- State of the art facilities
- Stimulating work setting focussed on cutting edge medical research
- Supportive and collaborative team environment