Project I:
Title: Brian Metcalf PhD project in Biological Chemistry- Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Supervisor: Professor Marie Migaud, PhD.
Course: Doctor of Philosophy
Keywords: organophosphorus and nucleoside synthetic chemistry
Categories: studentship
Research area: Chemical Sciences; School of Molecular Sciences
School: Graduate Research School
Specific project requirement: An undergraduate degree in chemistry or related field is required.
Course type: Doctorates
Application ID: APN2627-4665
Duration: 4 years
Company Description: The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a leading research-intensive institution in Western Australia, recognized globally for excellence in science and innovation. UWA provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, strong supervision, and a collaborative research environment for higher degree candidates. The university is committed to advancing knowledge in chemistry, biotechnology, and related disciplines, with an emphasis on impactful, translational research. Doctoral candidates benefit from comprehensive training, professional development opportunities, and connections to national and international research networks.
Project description: The project will entail the development of innovative synthetic methodologies to access modified canonical and non-canonical nucleosides, nucleoside phosphoramidites, nucleoside triphosphates, and dinucleotides. Once synthetized, the RNA building blocks will be used in RNA synthesis (IVT and solid phase synthesis) to be used as compositional, functional, or structural reporters. In addition to developing skills in advanced organic synthesis and organophosphorus chemistry, the candidate will harness extensive expertise in complex analytical chemistry, and water-soluble compound purification.
Role Description: This fully funded, full-time PhD project in Biological Chemistry is based on-site at The Bayliss Building, Perth/Crawley Campus. The candidate will design, synthesize, and characterize modified nucleic acid building blocks using modern synthetic and analytical techniques. More specifically, the project will entail developing innovative synthetic methodologies to access modified canonical and non-canonical nucleosides, nucleoside phosphoramidites, nucleoside triphosphates, and dinucleotides. Once synthesized, the RNA building blocks will be used in RNA synthesis (IVT and solid-phase synthesis) as compositional, functional, or structural reporters. In addition to developing skills in advanced organic synthesis and organophosphorus chemistry, the candidate will harness extensive expertise in complex analytical chemistry and water-soluble compound purification.
Day-to-day activities include planning and conducting laboratory experiments, maintaining detailed records, analyzing data, troubleshooting methodologies, and contributing to the development of new chemical strategies. The role involves regular interactions with supervisors and collaborators, participation in group meetings and seminars, and preparation of publications and conference presentations based on research outcomes. The candidate will also undertake relevant coursework or training modules and comply with all laboratory safety and ethical guidelines.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of a thesis, sometimes including a creative work component, that is examined externally. The work presented for a PhD must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject of interest as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. Visit the course webpage for full details of this course including admission requirements, course rules and the relevant CRICOS code/s.
Research area: Biological Chemistry; Organophosphorus chemistry; Nucleic acid synthesis.
Funding source: Brian Metcalf Endowed Chair Studentship
Contact: Professor Marie Migaud, Brian Metcalf Chair in Biological Chemistry
How to apply: If you wish to obtain more information on the project, contact Professor Migaud via email ([email protected]). Be specific as to what you wish to learn about the project. For more information about the Migaud lab’s past research and contribution to science at the interface between Chemistry and Biology and Biomedical Research, consult google scholar.
If interested in joining the Migaud group to work on this project and are ready to take on the challenge of becoming a PhD candidate in the School of Molecular Sciences, send your CV and a cover letter to Professor Migaud via email ([email protected]).
How to apply for this opportunity: https://researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au
When to apply: Applications will be considered from the 31st August 2026 to the 31st of October 2026
Project II:
Title: Brian Metcalf PhD Project in Biological Chemistry: Exploring Redox Cofactors’ Synergy
Supervisor: Professor Marie Migaud, PhD
Course: Doctor of Philosophy
Keywords: synthetic organic chemistry, nucleotide synthesis, cell biology, redox cofactors
Categories: studentship
Research area: Chemical Sciences; School of Molecular Sciences
School: Graduate Research School
Specific project requirement: An undergraduate degree in chemistry or related field is required.
Course type : Doctorates
Application ID : APN2627-4667
Duration : 4 years
Project description: The project will entail the development of innovative synthetic methodologies to access masked and unmasked isotopically labeled nucleosides and nucleotides, precursors of redox cofactors. Once synthesized, these entities will be used, in the first instance, on primary and immortalized endothelial cells to probe synergy between biosynthetically independent redox cofactors. This project intends to reveal new pathogenic pathways of chronic kidney disease progression. In addition to developing skills in advanced nucleotide synthetic chemistry, the candidate will harness extensive expertise in complex analytical chemistry and water-soluble compound purification. This will be complemented by developing fundamental expertise in cell biology and cell-based assay development.
Funding source: Brian Metcalf Endowed Chair Studentship
Contact: Professor Marie Migaud, Brian Metcalf Chair in Biological Chemistry
Company Description: The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a leading research-intensive institution in Western Australia, recognized globally for excellence in science and innovation. UWA provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, strong supervision, and a collaborative research environment for higher degree candidates. The university is committed to advancing knowledge in chemistry, biotechnology, and related disciplines, with an emphasis on impactful, translational research. Doctoral candidates benefit from comprehensive training, professional development opportunities, and connections to national and international research networks.
Role Description: This fully funded, full-time PhD project in Biological Chemistry is based on-site at The Bayliss Building, Perth/Crawley Campus. The candidate will design, synthesize, and characterize modified and isotopically labeled nucleotides, dinucleotides, and redox cofactors. Once synthesized, these entities will be used to explore fundamental cellular processes. In addition to developing skills in advanced organic synthesis and organophosphorus chemistry, the candidate will harness extensive expertise in complex analytical chemistry, water-soluble compound purification, and molecular cell biology.
Day-to-day activities include planning and conducting laboratory chemical and biological experiments, maintaining detailed records, analyzing data, and troubleshooting methodologies. The role involves regular interactions with supervisors and collaborators, participation in group meetings and seminars, and preparation of publications and conference presentations based on research outcomes. The candidate will also undertake relevant coursework or training modules and comply with all laboratory safety and ethical guidelines.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of a thesis, sometimes including a creative work component, that is examined externally. The work presented for a PhD must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject of interest as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. Visit the course webpage for full details of this course, including admission requirements, course rules, and the relevant CRICOS code/s.
Research area: Biological Chemistry; Nucleotide synthesis; Cell Biology.
How to apply: If you wish to obtain more information on the project, contact Professor Migaud via email ([email protected]). Be specific as to what you wish to learn about the project. For more information about the Migaud lab’s past research and contribution to science at the interface between Chemistry and Biology and Biomedical Research, consult google scholar.
If interested in joining the Migaud group to work on this project and are ready to take on the challenge of becoming a PhD candidate in the School of Molecular Sciences, send your CV and a cover letter to Professor Migaud via email ([email protected]).
How to apply for this opportunity: https://researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au
