Tumour Remodelling Across Space-Time
Published on the 08 October 2026 by UNSW Scientia PhD Project
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.
Fibrosis is a hallmark of solid cancers, yet its abundance alone poorly predicts prognosis or therapy response. What matters is how the tumour microenvironment is remodelled – what is changing, where and when.
This project will use MALDI-2 mass spectrometry imaging, newly established in the ACRF MATRIX Centre at the Garvan Institute, to map proteins, lipids, glycans and matrix-derived fragments in tumours before and after treatment. Integrating other spatial 'omics approaches across multiple cancer types, you will investigate how therapy-induced fibrosis and stromal remodelling evolve from early disease through metastasis, and identify spatial signatures that distinguish protective from pro-tumour stroma.
These will be linked to patients in early-phase clinical trials at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, with the opportunity for placement at M4I, Maastricht University. Ideal for graduates with an interest in cancer, proteomics, mass spectrometry, biochemistry or computational biology, and a drive to ask tough questions of complex data.
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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, Thomas Cox - t.cox@garvan.org.au. If he agrees to supervise 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
Professor Thomas R. Cox (UNSW, Garvan Institute, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Ron M.A. (Heeren, M4I - Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Amelia L. Parker (UNSW, Garvan Institute, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Jayden C. McKinnon (UNSW, Garvan Institute, Co-Supervisor)
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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.