Improving safety of antimicrobial peptides
Improving the Safety Profiles of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health challenge, creating an urgent need for new treatments that are effective against drug-resistant pathogens while remaining safe for patients. The project offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation antimicrobials for infections caused by clinically important, drug-resistant bacteria.
This PhD project will investigate strategies to improve the safety profiles of two promising antimicrobial agents: the peptide mimic RK758 and the synthetic antimicrobial peptide Mel4.
The research will examine how their chemical structure, membrane interactions, antimicrobial activity and toxicity can be optimised to selectively target bacteria while minimising damage to human cells and tissues. Using microbiological, biochemical, cellular and biophysical approaches, the project will explore mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationships, formulation strategies and opportunities for therapeutic translation.
The successful applicant will gain interdisciplinary training in antimicrobial discovery, peptide chemistry, microbiology, cell biology and drug development.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Mark Willcox - m.willcox@unsw.edu.au. If he agrees to supervisor you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Prof Mark Willcox (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Prof Naresh Kumar, Dr Shyam Kumar Mishra, Dr Umme Laila Urmia and Prof Furqan A. MAULVI (UNSW, Co-supervisors)
Dr Li Ning (A*STAR, Co-supervisor)
A/Prof Lakshminarayanan Rajamani (SERI, Co-supervisor) -
Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Medicine & Health | School of Clinical Medicine
Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
Learn more
Primary Supervisor
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.