PhD position: Translational Brain Cancer—ADCs Targeting Eph Receptors

• Join a leading translational brain cancer lab developing Eph-targeted ADCs
• Fully funded PhD with direct impact on therapies for aggressive brain cancers
• Herston Location

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 Your Lab:

The Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory is internationally recognised for its translational research in glioma biology and novel therapeutic development. Our direct focus is to investigate the biological processes critical for the development of aggressive brain tumours, commercialise our research findings, and bring novel antibody therapies to clinical trial to improve patient outcomes.

Our group has pioneered studies into Eph receptor biology in brain cancer, including the landmark identification of EphA3 as a therapeutic target (Day et al., Cancer Cell 2013), and the development of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting EphA3 (Offenhauser et al., Cancers With extensive experience in patient-derived models and in vivo preclinical studies, our team integrates molecular biology, therapeutic design and translational research to accelerate discovery into clinical application.

Our group recently published an exciting study in the internationally reputed journal Nature Communications. In this study we employed a drug, CT-179 that effectively targets the protein OLIG2, a known stem cell marker crucial in the initiation and recurrence of brain cancers. The study demonstrated that CT-179, used in combination with standard radiation therapy, prolonged survival in a range of preclinical medulloblastoma models, delayed recurrence of the disease, and increased the effectiveness of radiotherapy.

Role Purpose / Responsibilities:

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position in the Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory, focusing on the development of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting Eph receptors in brain cancer. Building on our group's established expertise in Eph receptor biology, the project will centre on candidate targets known to be overexpressed in gliomas, with in-house antibodies already under development or novel candidate antibodies. The successful candidate will:

• Contribute to the design, generation, and optimisation of novel ADCs and existing in-house antibodies.
• Evaluate candidate ADCs through a combination of molecular and cell biology approaches, including patient-derived cell lines and organoid models.
• Undertake in vivo preclinical testing of ADCs in relevant brain cancer models to assess efficacy and safety.
• Analyse, interpret, and communicate experimental data, contributing to publications and conference presentations.
• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians to advance therapeutic strategies towards translation.

About you:

• A completed Honours or Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Strong laboratory skills in cell and molecular biology (e.g. cell culture, cloning, flow cytometry, microscopy, Western blotting or related techniques).
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret experimental data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A genuine interest in translational cancer research and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Highly Regarded

• Previous experience with in vivo animal work and organoid culture will be considered a strong advantage.

Remuneration: Full time scholarship of $36,400pa (2025 rate, tax free, indexed annually) for 3 years and 6 months.

For further information: please contact

Closing Date: 1 October 2025

To submit an application: use the APPLY button. All applicants must supply the following documents: Resume and Cover letter addressing the selection criteria outlined in the Position Description.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

What we offer:

• State of the art facilities
• Stimulating work setting focussed on cutting edge medical research
• Supportive and collaborative team environment