Key facts
About this scholarship
Benefits:
Project Impact
Potential new vaccine candidates against viral pathogens can be rapidly designed after viral sequencing, yet their use in agricultural settings remains untenable because of the reliance on ultra cold-chain distribution and storage requirements to maintain efficacy. This project will address this critical technological gap by developing RNA vaccine vehicles that are thermostable thereby eliminating or /reducing ultra cold-chain requirements for these vaccines. Once defined, this technology is expected to reduce the dosage cost of RNA vaccines, which is an important consideration for the global veterinary vaccine market with poultry vaccines having the major share. This project will equip the candidate with skills directly translatable to the growing RNA therapeutics as well as the veterinary biotechnology sector.
Supervisory Team
- Principal Supervisor: Dr Brendan Wilkinson, School of Science & Technology, UNE
- Co-Supervisor: Associate Prof. Nick Andronicos, School of Science & Technology, UNE.
- Co-Supervisor: Professor Stephen Walkden-Brown, School of Environmental and Rural Science.
- External Co-Supervisor: TBC (RRTN partner institution).
- Industry Partner: Poultry Hub Australia (TBC).
About the project:
Project Description
Australia's $5.5 billion poultry industry faces ongoing biosecurity threats from viral pathogens such as Newcastle disease, and infectious bronchitis, which impacts animal health and human food security. RNA-based vaccines potentially offer protection against viral diseases but suffer from instability, requiring -80oC ultra-cold storage. This requirement hinders on-farm deployment of these vaccines in Australian agricultural settings where reliable ultra cold-chain infrastructure is lacking. This project will define technology to overcome this barrier by developing a trehalose-based liposomal formulation that combines RNA delivery and thermostabilisation into a single self-assembling vehicle. Trehalose, a natural disaccharide, stabilises macromolecules through glass formation and water replacement. The goal is to design formulations that eliminate ultra-cold chain requirements of RNA vaccines thereby allowing their distribution and storage (-20oC to 4oC), or ambient temperatures, which are compatible with Australian farm infrastructure.
- Chemical Component: synthesis of a trehalose-based Janus dendrimers (JD) of 2+2, 1+2 and 2+1 JD) and characterisation of the resulting molecular structures using NMR, MALDI-ToF MS, and LC-MS, including characterisations of size, morphology, and stability using DLS, TEM/cryo-EM, and zeta potential measurements.
- Biological Component: the encapsulation efficiency and thermostability of the RNA cargo as well as release profiles using in vitro chemical and biological cellular assays and the establishment of proof-of-concept for poultry vaccine antigens via industry collaboration.
This interdisciplinary project is ideal for candidates with interests in developing and translating novel chemical compounds that are applicable to veterinary immunology.
Award Details & Conditions
Funding & Duration:
- RTP Research Training Stipend (subject to annual indexation),
- Standard doctoral candidature period (typically 3–4 years full-time).
Funded internship:
If the candidate’s internship contributes to their research project and thesis content, the candidate is not required to take leave while undertaking their internship:
- Candidate will remain in receipt of RTP stipend during the internship period.
- Additional funding from Industry partner may be received up to 75% of stipend value (as per RTP legislation)
- There will be no provision for an extension to a candidates RTP scholarship past the 3.5 year duration.
- For more information visit HDR Internships
International Fee-Waiver Consideration:
Exceptional international applicants may be considered for fee-waiver arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to available funding and demonstrated research excellence
Conditions of Award
Recipients are expected to:
- Enrol full-time in an eligible doctoral program (PhD or equivalent research degree) at the University of New England
- Have a background in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, or a related discipline.
- Have a willingness to perform animal experiments approved by the university Animal Ethics Committee.
- Have experience in organic synthesis and/or formulation science is desirable but not essential.
- Conduct research aligned with RRTN priorities, specifically addressing RNA delivery to the immune system and/or the brain, with demonstrated relevance to animal health and One Health frameworks
- Complete a 3-month industry internship with an approved RRTN partner organisation (e.g., Aurora Biosynthetics, veterinary biotechnology companies, animal health research facilities, or affiliated research organisations) as an integrated component of their doctoral research
- Engage actively with the RRTN network and UNE's One Health research community, including participation in collaborative research activities, seminars, workshops, and training events
- Comply with all RTP conditions, including satisfactory progress milestones, thesis submission requirements, and code of conduct
- Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to knowledge dissemination within the RNA research and animal health communities
- Maintain enrolment status and full-time candidature throughout the award period
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following core and scholarship specific eligibility requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Australian citizenship or permanent residency (or equivalent visa status) is preferred, however outstanding international applicants will be considered |
| New or Continuing | New or continuing |
| Study Mode | On campus |
| Study Load | Full-time or part-time |
| Course type | PhD |
- Completion of an appropriate honours level (AQF 8) or higher
- English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Australian citizenship or permanent residency (or equivalent visa status as per RTP guidelines) is preferred, however outstanding international applicants will be considered
- Specific GPA thresholds and prerequisite qualifications may vary by discipline; prospective applicants should contact the Graduate Research School or relevant school for detailed entry requirements.
Before you apply
Before you apply for this scholarship, please ensure you have read and understood the below important information:
- Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residence
- Curriculum vitae
- Certified copies of degree transcripts
- Copy of BA or MA coursework thesis and other research, published and unpublished
- Outline of proposed/current PhD research project relating to RNA research and Innovation.
Submit an application
Expressions of interest, along with the documentation listed above, should be directed to:
Dr Brendan Wilkinson (School of Science & Technology, University of New England)
Email: brendan.wilkinson@une.edu.au
Selection Considerations
Applicants will be assessed on:
- Quality and relevance of proposed research to RRTN priorities (RNA delivery systems, immune system, and brain applications), with demonstrated alignment to animal health and/or One Health outcomes
- Academic merit and research potential, including prior research experience and demonstrated capability in animal health, veterinary science, or related disciplines
- Alignment with UNE and partner institution strengths and access to specialised RNA research facilities, animal research infrastructure, and One Health collaborative networks
- Contribution to RRTN workforce development objectives across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts for People and the Economy) disciplines
- Industry engagement potential, particularly capacity to undertake a meaningful 3-month industry internship with animal health, veterinary biotechnology, or agricultural RNA manufacturing partners
- Collaborative fit within the broader RRTN network and UNE's One Health research ecosystem
- Research potential to address animal welfare, biosecurity, or zoonotic disease challenges through RNA innovation
