PhD Scholarship: Perry Cross - Minimally invasive cell transplantation

The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation PhD scholarship is a prestigious scholarship supported by the Foundation to accelerate delivery of a therapy to repair spinal cord injury. We are looking for a PhD candidate to conduct research to create a minimally-invasive implantation method to deposit therapeutic cells into the injured spinal cord.

The position is part of the larger Spinal Injury Project which is testing an olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation therapy for chronic spinal cord in a human clinical Phase I trial. The team is also planning to make the therapy suitable for acute spinal cord injury. The current implantation method uses invasive open surgery to implant the cells. With a view to improving patient safety and reducing surgery costs a minimally-invasive implantation method needs to be developed. The new implantation method will also increase options for transplantation including repeat top-up transplantations over time. The ultimate aim is to incorporate the outcomes of the project into the therapeutic clinical pipeline.

Success in this role requires i) an innovative entrepreneurial attitude with a passion to deliver products to market (ii) a focus on consumer involvement (iii) ability to work with clinicians (iv) aptitude to work both autonomously and co-operatively within a large team (v) drive and imagination to contribute to science and the clinic.

Qualifications :

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role a scientific background in neuroscience and cell biology is desirable. You will have evidence of a passion for conducting basic and translational research with a strong desire to undertake research in neural repair.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from applicants who already have residency in Australia.
• Applicants must have completed or expect to complete a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to Second class/Division (2A) honours or a Masters degree incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

EoI process
Please do not select the APPLY button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to  containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section including a  copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Wednesday 20 August 2025 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
Dr Ronak Reshamwala
Email:

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: