Tracking the origin and fate of osteomorphs

Supervisors:

Professor Tri Phan & Professor Peter Croucher 

Project 

The skeleton is a defining characteristic of all vertebrate animals and osteoclasts are a basic cell of the skeleton responsible for bone remodelling. However, very little is known about osteoclasts and how they cope with the cellular stress of breaking down bone. The proposed PhD projects will seek to bridge critical knowledge gaps about the life cycle of osteoclasts and how and why they undergo cell fission into daughter cells called osteomorphs that may be able to extend the lifespan of osteoclasts by regenerating their mitochondria. The project will involve tracking the cellular dynamics and fate of osteoclasts, osteomorphs and their mitochondria using state-of-the-art intravital microscopy (Project 1) and single cell genomic analysis (Project 2) using CRISPR gene-edited mice.

This project would suit a candidate with an undergraduate science degree with first class honours or masters degree. Knowledge in immunology, bone biology and/or cellular metabolism and experience working with animals is desirable but not essential.

Scholarship:  Stipend Support: $38,438 per annum (2025 rate) for 3.5 years. (You will be assisted to apply to UNSW for a tuition fee scholarship in parternship with this award) 

Eligibility:  Domestic (Australian and NZ citizens) and International PhD applicants

How to apply:  

Interested applicants should apply immediately.  Do not wait for the closing date listed on the website. For this project, applicants may be able to begin their PhD candidature in Term 2 or 3 2025.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview on a rolling basis. 

If you are interested, please send your CV and Academic transcripts by email to Professor Tri Phan at t.phan@garvan.org.au or click on Apply Now 

Additional information

Links to Professor Phan & Croucher's research profiles and Lab groups: 

https://www.garvan.org.au/people/researchers/tri-phan

https://www.garvan.org.au/research/labs-groups/image-lab

https://www.garvan.org.au/research/labs-groups/bone-biology-lab

https://www.garvan.org.au/people/researchers/peter-croucher