Company Description

As one of the most influential universities in Australia and the Asia–Pacific region, you will join Griffith University that spans five physical campuses in South East Queensland, while our network of more than 200,000 graduates extends worldwide. The research will be undertaken within The Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE), at Griffith University Gold Coast. PRECISE is driving a transformation away from ineffective and inefficient one-size-fits-all healthcare, toward ultra-personalised precision care. Underpinned by our patented digital twin modelling platform, we are developing and validating technologies that identify the person-specific biomarkers that drive the onset and persistence of poor musculoskeletal and neurological health. Our disruptive technologies are set to change how we deliver healthcare using highly accurate, person-specific biomarkers, in any environment, empowering patients to take ownership of their own health. Our approach gives clinicians the tools to develop personalised treatments that modify disease biomarkers and monitor treatment effects and disease progression over time.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Job Description

We are currently looking for a number of PhD candidates to contribute to our funded research project BioSpine, which focuses on the development of non-invasive rehabilitation technology to recover sensorimotor function in people with spinal cord injury. The primary focus of this role is increasing our understanding how central and peripheral nervous systems coordinate the activity of muscles in people with neural injury, with specific focus on the role of central pattern generators. This new knowledge will be used to develop and evaluating physics-informed neural networks encoding principles of physiology and biophysics to best replicate the functional behaviour of the spinal cord, motor neuron pools, muscles, and sensory apparatus during movement. The developed physics-informed neural networks will subsequently be employed to deliver personalised controllers for rehabilitation devices, including exoskeletons and electrical stimulation of muscles and spinal cord. Success in this role requires multidisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, biomedical and bionics engineers, and biomechanists.

Qualifications

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to have an inquisitive mind and lateral thinking. You will have evidence of a passion for understanding how complex biological systems work, with a strong desire to undertake research in the field of rehabilitation technologies.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and on-shore international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:

A successful candidate is expected to hold degrees in biomedical engineering, mechatronics engineering, biomechanics, human movement science, kinesiology, or related degrees.

On-shore international applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

Additional Information

About the scholarship
The 2025 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template
• Names of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 30 May 2025 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
Associate Professor Claudio Pizzolato
Phone: (07) 5552 7066
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]