2025 PhD Scholarship in Mood and Immunity in the Elderly at RMIT University Australia

Co-supervised by Dr Kirsty Wilson and Professor Katie Flanagan (UTAS). The presence in sera of pro-inflammatory cytokines has emerged as an aetiological and perpetuating factor for major depression across the lifespan. The immune system of the elderly, and particularly females, displays heightened persistent chronic inflammation or ‘inflammaging’. Mechanistically, it may be caused by epigenetic re-programming of monocytes, resulting in an increased capacity to produce inflammatory factors in response to environmental stimuli, such as bacterial and viral toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. This interdisciplinary study will examine the relationship between inflammatory status and epigenetic programming of monocytes in relation to depression across different age groups (young and elderly) and sexes (male and female).

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNot Specified
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorRMIT University
• School to studyRMIT University
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The value of the Scholarship is equivalent to an RMIT full Scholarship
• This Scholarship will be available for 3.5 years.

Requirements

Applicants need to have a background in immunology, genetics or bioinformatics. They must have completed a relevant Bachelor’s Degree and Honour’s or Master’s. 

Desirable criteria:

• Practical experience and conceptual background in cellular immunology.
• Interest in, and ability to, learn bioinformatics.
• Experience in tissue culture.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please submit the following documents to Prof. Magdalena Plebanski ([email protected]) and Dr Kirsty Wilson ([email protected]).

• A copy of electronic academic transcripts
• A CV that includes any publications/awards and the contact details of two referees.

For further inquiries please contact Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski ([email protected]) and Dr Kirsty Wilson ([email protected]).

For more information, kindly visit RMIT University scholarship webpage.