National Industry PhD Scholarship

Flinders University is advertising a fully funded National Industry PhD Scholarship in novel treatments for gastrointestinal cancer. The project is based at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer and is run in collaboration with the Southern Oncology Clinical Research Unit (SOCRU).

The PhD will investigate the therapeutic effects of naturally derived products on gastrointestinal cancers, with a translational pathway toward Phase I clinical trials. The successful candidate will gain experience in cell culture, molecular biology, clinical trial design and operations, consumer engagement, and statistics. The National Industry PhD structure includes at least 20–50% of the project with the industry partner, giving the student exposure to both academia and industry.

Supervision will be provided by Dr Jean Winter (Flinders University) and Dr Ganessan Kichenadasse (SOCRU). The scholarship is valued at $53,195 per year for up to 3.5 years, with tax-free stipend support and additional training opportunities through the National Industry PhD program.

Eligibility includes Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents; international students may also apply, though they may be required to pay international fees. Applicants must meet PhD admission requirements, including an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A (or equivalent) with a research component of at least 6 months full-time study and a minimum Distinction (75%). Candidates must be available to commence by 24 August 2026.

Applications are open now. Applicants should email a CV and covering letter to [email protected] and also submit a separate HDR admission application if they have not already done so. Shortlisting and interviews are scheduled for July 2026, with outcomes notified by August 2026.