Polymer coatings for next generation immuno-modulators

About the project

Harnessing nanoparticles for biomedical application

If you are interested in an exciting career in nanomedicine and keen to develop innovations in this field, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Future Industries Institute (FII), in partnership with the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Nanoparticles have been identified as a new class of adjuvant material which can potentiate immune responses under a variety of settings. For example, they can promote immunotherapies for cancer treatment and stimulate more robust vaccine response and autoimmune conditions.

However, while this new class of material is translating to clinical trials, no optimisation of nanoparticle coating has been conducted to enhance specific immune system interactions.

Our project aims to undergo a rigorous, quantitative optimisation process testing a range of lead and coating materials to develop a range of formulations with optimised efficacy for specific medical applications.

You will be based within the FII, which is exceptional for materials synthesis and characterisation, housing over $80M worth of analytical equipment.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will participate in a quantitative optimisation process.

You will be immersed in this multidisciplinary and research-active cohort and benefit from world-class expertise and mentorship.

You will undertake rigorous polymer chemistry synthesis approaches to coat metal nanoparticles and functionalise them with moieties to induce specific immune signalling responses.

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in the FII, which partners with industry and the professions to deliver innovation and technological advances to solve real world challenges. With research strengths across 5 sectors that cross disciplines from biomaterials engineering to minerals processing, FII creates local and global impact.

Our research degree students partner with industry and end-users to develop their skills and relevant career experience and our state-of-the-art facilities support research growth and expertise.

We work with SME’s via the Institute’s Testlab and provide R&D services that support industry challenges which is part of our $80million of infrastructure that consists specialised laboratories and equipment. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria:

• First Class Honours

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our Mawson Lakes campus in the north of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 21 May, 2025.