PhD in Human Neuroimaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Are you passionate about neuroimaging, bioinformatics, and the quest to better understand neurodegenerative diseases? This exciting PhD opportunity focuses on utilizing advanced brain imaging techniques to explore hereditary cerebellar ataxias (HCAs), an inherited group of neurodegenerative diseases that cause significant motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric impairments. HCAs led to severe disability and mortality, with no existing cures.

Our Cerebellum & Neurodegeneration Research Group (CNRG) is at the cutting edge of these developments, employing state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and advanced blood and digital biomarkers to better understand the onset and progression of HCAs. This project aims to improve patient characterization and biomarker validation, leveraging novel data analysis approaches, including advanced statistics and machine learning to analyze complex clinical and biological data.

PhD students will have the opportunity to work on one or more of the following research areas within a cohort of individuals diagnosed with hereditary cerebellar ataxias:

• Neuroimaging: Apply cutting-edge quantitative MRI techniques to assess changes in myelination, iron metabolism, inflammation, and tissue microstructure.
• Profiling disease expression and progression using blood-based biomarkers.
• Statistical Modelling & machine learning: Develop machine learning models to identify disease subgroups and predict disease progression using clinical, imaging, and biological data.

Research Questions

• Can sophisticated neuroimaging techniques enhance our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?
• Can blood-based proteomics and metabolomics add additional insights into the variability in disease onset and progression?
• Can advanced statistics and machine learning models help define disease subtypes and predict clinical outcomes?

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with Honors, or Master’s degree in neuroscience, biomedical science, data science, computer science, or a related STEM field.
• Excellent academic performance (e.g., High Distinction / First class Honours / 80%+ or equivalent).
• At least one semester (6-months) of research experience as part of Honors or Master’s research training, leading to a minor thesis with formal evaluation for University credit.
• Strong interest in neuroimaging, neurodegenerative diseases, or biomedical research.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in working with clinical or biological data.
• Basic programming experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R, bash).
• International applicants must have one or more academic papers published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
• University PhD academic entry requirements: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/doctor-philosophy-7501#entry-requirements

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or neuroimaging data analysis.
• Knowledge or experience in machine learning techniques and their application to biomedical or clinical datasets.
• Experience working with biological markers or neurodegenerative disease models.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis or data visualization tools.
• Experience with medical image processing software such as FSL, FreeSurfer, MRtrix, ANTs.
• Experience with GPU and CPU-based high-performance computing (HPC) environments for data processing.
• Experience in publishing scientific research in peer-reviewed journals or full-length conference papers is highly desirable.
• Experience with public neuroimaging datasets such as HCP, ADNI, or UK Biobank is an extra advantage

Stipend & Support

The successful applicant will receive a tuition waiver for enrolment as a full-time PhD student (part-time options are not possible) at the University of Queensland or Queensland University of Technology, and a living stipend of $36,400AUD per annum for 3.5 years. All research will take place on-site at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Brisbane, Australia).

In addition to standard University programs and supports, the student will have additional access to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute dedicated graduate student office and advisor, scholarship top-up opportunities (competitive process by application), and student retreats seminar series, and social events.

How to Apply

Please note that only applicants meeting all of the “Essential Qualifications” listed above will be considered, without exception. Please apply only if you meet these criteria.

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV, a brief cover letter, and academic transcripts to Associate Professor Ian Harding: ian.harding@qimrb.edu.au