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PhD and Honours student opportunities

We are always looking for talented PhD and Honours students to join us

About you : Students enthusiastic about discovering fundamental principles in biology with an undergraduate degree in relevant disciplines including: molecular/structural/theoretical/cell biology, (bio-)chemistry, (bio-)physics, (bio-)engineering, immunology, virology, and mathematics. We welcome students from all countries, backgrounds and cultures. Contact us if you are interested in PhD positions or Honours projects. Honours is a research year for Bachelor's students at Australian universities. We also offer internships for students who want to gain experience in the lab before embarking on their PhD pogram.

About us : We are the Department of Molecular Medicine within the UNSW Medicine & Health's School of Bioedical Sciences ( SBMS ) at UNSW Sydney. Originally founded in 2015 as the EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science (SMS), we have expanded and rcontinue to host research groups as a part of the  EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network . We also have links to UNSW Science's  School of Physics . We are about 90 researchers from all over the world with different scientific backgrounds. We are committed to people and culture and aim to foster a vibrant and inclusive research environment. Our initiatives include a workplace culture roundtable, professional development programs and creative club. Our student society ( SEAMS ) organises events and retreats to share experience and build a supportive community.

Our labs and microscopes are located in the Lowy Cancer Research building in the biomedical precinct of UNSW Sydney. The campus is located in Kensington, a short distance from the city centre, parks and beaches.

Supervisors and projects

Our core scientific vision is to integrate across length scales how processes at the molecular level – the ‘bottom-up’ perspective of single-molecule biophysics – drive function at the systems level – the ‘top-down’ perspective of cell biology and physiology. We research a broad range of biological questions in areas including molecular self-assembly; intracellular transport; host-pathogen interactions; immune cell activation, migration and swarming; mechanobiology; and development. Our experimental systems range from self-assembly and reconstitution over cells and organoids to whole organisms, with a focus on advanced imaging approaches. The broad aim is to investigate molecular and cellular processes in real-time. We have strengths in theoretical biology that are integrated with laboratory experimentation. Projects also include technology development.

Learn more about our research focus areas  here

*Please feel free to contact any of our group leaders if any of these research areas interest you*

PhD program at UNSW

The PhD at UNSW consists of a 3.5 year research project with a final thesis. PhD candidates are accompanied by a PhD panel to review goals, progress and wellbeing.

How to apply

There are three intakes of PhD students per year. Get in touch with potential supervisors at any time and then apply for admission and scholarships in the next available round. Scholarships are available to cover tuition fees and to provide a living allowance.

Step 1 : Get in touch with potential supervisors for an interview. This is an informal process for you to meet different supervisors, talk about your interests and motivation, and discuss possible projects. Supervisors can then put you in touch with their students for a chat about their experiences. The aim is to identify a good fit between you and our research groups in the Department of Molecular Medicine. Potential supervisors can also guide you through the application process.

Step 2 : Apply for admission into the PhD program at UNSW and apply for a scholarhip. Applications for admission and scholarships are intergrated. Find relevant information at the links below.

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Honours program at UNSW

In the Australian system, Honours is a year of research undertaken at the end of an undergraduate degree. If you are a Science or Biomedical Sciences student interested in an Honours project as part of your undergraduate degree, just get in touch with Molecular Medicine group leaders to discuss potential projects. We have (co-)supervised students enrolled in Honours at  S BMS and Schools of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences ( BaBS ) and Physics . Applications are submitted via the respective Schools.

Acknowledgement of Country:  The Bedegal people are the traditional custodians of the land where UNSW Kensington campus is situated.

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PhD Research (Life Sciences) - 1499

Program summary.

Faculty:   Faculty of Science

Contact:   http://www.science.unsw.edu.au

Campus:  Sydney

Career:  Research

Typical UOC Per Semester:  24

Min UOC Per Semester:  12

Max UOC Per Semester:  24

Min UOC For Award:  144

Doctor of Philosophy (Research)

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• Program Description
• A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor with Honours from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Research Committee of the appropriate Faculty.
• Candidates may be admitted to the PhD program after one year’s full-time enrolment in a Masters by Research program, with the approval of the Faculty Postgraduate Affairs Committee.
• In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree.

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UNSW Sydney raises stipends for Higher Degree Research scholarships

UNSW will lift stipends for PhD and other HDR scholarship candidates from 2023, to set the benchmark for living wage stipends in Australia.

UNSW has announced it will raise stipends for all Higher Degree Research (HDR) scholarship candidates in 2023 – and again in 2024 – to help to ease the financial stress they face due to cost-of-living pressures.

All new higher degree research scholarships will be offered at the rate of $35,000 per annum from Term 1 2023.  All current scholarship holders whose stipend is below $35,000 will also receive the increased amount at the same time. The rate will be the second-highest stipend among Group of Eight universities and well above the Department of Education’s standard rate of $29,863 for 2023.

UNSW will further increase the stipend to $37,684 in 2024, which is in line with the current living wage and is expected to be one of, if not the highest, for an Australian university.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said HDRs are not only core to the university research ecosystem, but HDR graduates are fundamental to Australia’s whole innovation system. The re-examination of the stipend level was driven by an urgent economic and moral imperative, along with a desire to support this critical community.

“UNSW acknowledges the rising cost of living, especially in Sydney, places considerable pressure on our HDR candidates,” Prof. Brungs said.

“We want to support our candidates and provide them with the opportunity to devote undistracted time and effort to their research so that they can explore, develop, and master long-term projects – then contribute to driving innovation for the benefit of all Australians.”

HDR students vital for Australia's R&D productivity

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise Professor Nick Fisk said PhD candidates are an essential but undercompensated part of UNSW’s research firepower.  

“HDRs contribute to more than half of our research outputs, but around 57% have second jobs, taking them away from their projects and thus Australia’s R&D productivity. As a nation, we must attract and retain the best and brightest students at all levels, and increasing stipends will enable the University to recruit the highest quality PhD applicants.

“With 2 per cent of Australians now holding a PhD, impoverishing stipend rates can no longer be ignored. Indeed, this has become a major international issue, affecting almost all PhD students according to a recent Nature survey. HDRs in the UK recently lobbied UK Research & Innovation to gain a modest increase in stipends. UNSW has gone further, now setting the benchmark for living wage stipends in Australia.”

PhD candidate Nora Campbell says she is happy that UNSW is recognising the important work that postgraduate researchers do.

“I think the stipend increase will make a huge difference to many people as it will help offset the high cost of living in Sydney.

“Scientific research is such an important export for UNSW and for Australia, so this is a great step forward in helping UNSW's postgraduate researchers continue to put out high-quality research that benefits Australia and the world.”

Increasing the stipend dovetails with the University’s commitment to increasing scholarship and financial support for coursework students. In August,  UNSW announced an expansion of its Gateway Equity Program , increasing the access rate to 25 per cent over the next five years for first-year students from underrepresented schools and backgrounds.

“The social and economic successes of the individual, the community and the country are built on the transformative power of education,” Prof. Brungs said.

“We want to ensure that anyone, from any background, can consider doing an undergraduate or higher degree research at UNSW.”

HDR candidates are predominantly those studying for Doctor of Philosophy degrees, but also those undertaking Professional Doctorate, Master's by Research and Master of Philosophy higher degree research programs.

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Technology and Digital Vacationer Program (2025)

Opportunity details, application dates, minimum requirements, hiring criteria, entry pathway, working rights.

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Applications for the 2024/25 Vacationer Program are still being accepted but will be added to our candidate pool for additional places – our main intake applications closed on 14th April.

Our candidate pool will be reviewed as additional places in our Vacationer Program come up, so please apply to still be in with a chance to start something big with us!

Why choose Technology and Digital areas as a vacationer?

Want to play a part in how technology shapes our world and the world of generations to come? Graduates across technology and digital areas are at the forefront of driving innovation and challenging the status-quo for organisations as they look for ways to harness new developments ethically, sustainably and with maximum efficiency to their customers. Depending on your team and specialisation, you'll deal with day-to-day challenges and big-picture problems facing organisations and society. From ethical hacking and AI to IT strategy development, cyber security, cloud implementation and much more, a graduate role in a digital or tech team will see you set for a career with a big impact for the long term.

Choose your pathway

Everyone’s career is different, and we support unique growth and pathways. With a range of disciplines and specialities, you can start in one place and go almost anywhere as you build your career here.

Apply to this Technology, Digital and Engineering pathway and you’ll have the option to select the stream of work you’re interested in. Not sure or open to something new? No preference means we’ll match you where your degree and interests fit. 

Location of this job: nominate your KPMG office location during the application process.

What is being a consultant?

You’ll be part of a team of experienced and early-career professionals who work on solving problems. The client (they could be an international company, a local charity, a small business) brings us a challenge and we create a team and a plan to help solve it. That team will be made up of colleagues from several disciplines and backgrounds so we bring the best ideas to the table – there might be cybersecurity specialists working alongside AI experts and a business transformation team.

The work depends on the client and the problem you’re helping them solve. You might be researching and gathering information, like how have we helped another client with a similar challenge and how new technologies could help, updating project plans, as well as the delivery of the solution your client selects. 

About the vacationer program

For students in their second-last year of study in 2024 

• Real work from the start so you can make an impact and learn straightaway
• Start work approx. November with a job for 4-8 weeks to learn real-world work skills during your study vacation time
• Opportunities to move directly into our graduate program: a one-year program after you graduate with targeted coaching, support and development.

What vacationers and grads say

It’s a safe environment learn, grow, and even try and fail under some great mentors in my team. We all look out for each other when there are difficult and new tasks. (Cici, 2021 grad) 

Whether it’s a client or other people around the office, I enjoy getting to know other people from all walks of life. (Tim, 2023 grad)

I’m truly part of the team working on the project. My team support me to give things a try and learn as I work. (Matt, 2023 vacationer) 

Learning about the workings of the world and having the tools and skills to develop viable solutions for all sorts of problems is why I love my job. (Kanwal, 2023 grad)

It's nice to be able to finish a job and sit back and be proud of the work we accomplished as a team. (Jessica, 2023 grad)

Big things on offer

• Coaching and feedback as standard : your own performance development manager and your broader team will help you build your skills with coaching and continuous feedback.
• Focus on your interpersonal skills : you got the degree, now learn how to use it in a corporate career by applying your knowledge to real world problems and people.
• True commitment to wellbeing, diversity and community : we regularly track our progress on 21 public commitments we’ve made on governance, people, planet and prosperity in our Impact Plan, such as our gender pay gap, indigenous inclusion, mental health, learning and more
• Employee discounts : at 100s of stores (like JB HiFi, Woolworths, Airbnb and more) with our SmartSpend app
• Build your network, friendships and interests : clubs for a variety of interests from running to books, cooking, badminton, card games and so much more.

In short, we’re the Australian arm of a global network of professional firms providing a full range of services to organisations across a wide range of industries, government, and not-for-profit sectors. We have deep expertise in audit and assurance, tax and advisory. Read more about us on our page.

Ready to apply?

Get started now with the 5 minute application form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive our online testing information and be placed in our candidate pool for additional places to open in the 2024/25 Vacationer Program. 

During your recruitment journey, information will be provided about adjustment requests. If you require additional support before submitting your application, please contact our Talent Support Team

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