The National Industry PhD Program is an Australian Government initiative to enhance workforce mobility among higher degree by research students, and to promote knowledge transfer between academia and industries across all areas. PhD candidates under this program are connected with academic supervisors and industry-based researchers, to co-design innovative, applied research projects. Through their doctoral candidature, students will experience research in both university and industry settings, and undertake specialised training in research translation and commercialisation.

The University of Adelaide and Repromed invite applications for a project under this program, developing new screening techniques for invitro fertilisation.

About Repromed

Repromed is one of the leading IVF clinics and largest IVF clinic in South Australia. It operates a purpose built clinic that performs everything on site, including its own day surgery and laboratory. Repromed also has active research and development programs in South Australia. Their scientists and doctors have made major contributions to industry knowledge about the causes of and treatments of fertility problems.

Project outline

Follicular fluid: the forgotten fluid

Follicular fluid surrounds a women’s egg (oocyte) and comprises lipids, hormones and glucose. The follicular fluid is important for oocyte growth, maturation, and embryo developmental potential. Currently during invitro fertilisation (IVF), follicular fluid is discarded and only a fraction of the oocytes retrieved have the potential to develop into a viable embryo destined for a live birth – of which too few are successful. This PhD project will characterise follicular fluid among women undergoing IVF and relate to reproductive health outcomes.  Improved understanding of follicular fluid composition has capacity to  impact IVF success and time to pregnancy.

Expected outcomes

In collaboration with specialist researchers at the Adelaide Medical School and Repromed, South Australia’s leading fertility specialist, the successful PhD candidate will examine the importance of the composition of the follicular fluid on reproductive health outcomes. Study outcomes include:

• improved knowledge on biomarkers relevant to clinical reproductive outcomes;
• insight into the pathophysiology of reproductive disorders;
• improved understanding on fertility mechanisms that might aid in the development of more personalized approaches to reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies.

Program overview

This project will be undertaken in collaboration with Dr Jessica Grieger from the Adelaide Medical School, and Dr Leanne Pacella-Ince, Scientific Director at Repromed. The PhD student will be co-located at the Adelaide Medical School and Repromed’s Adelaide facility throughout their candidature.

The successful candidate will receive:

• Admission to a PhD program at the University of Adelaide;
• A four-year scholarship package totalling $50,904 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually), and a tuition fee waiver; and
• A specialised training program in research translation and communication.

Upon successful examination of their thesis, the student will be awarded a PhD from the University of Adelaide.

Eligibility Requirements

This opportunity is open to candidates who can meet the requirements for PhD admission at the University of Adelaide (including English language proficiency in the relevant academic area), and who can demonstrate suitable experience in the health and biomedical sciences (through a high-quality Honours or Masters degree). The successful candidate must be able to enrol as a full-time PhD student at the University in the year of the offer. They must remain based in Adelaide, South Australia for the duration of the award.

Students that have previously completed a PhD program are, unfortunately, ineligible for the National Industry PhD Program.

The following skills and qualifications would also be beneficial:

• An interest in fertility, and strong content knowledge of reproductive health;
• Laboratory experience;
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills;
• Experience in customer service or similar, as well as the ability to speak to patients professionally and sensitively.

Application Process

 To apply, please email the following documents to Dr Jessica Grieger (jessica.grieger@adelaide.edu.au) with the subject line ‘National Industry PhD Program Application’:

• CV
• Cover Letter (of not more than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the PhD project and describing how your background and research area align with the project and the skills/qualification requirements
• Degree certificates and relevant academic transcripts, with translations of non-English documentation

Applications close on 27 September 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the supervisory team within two weeks of the closing date. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will commence their PhD program in late-2024.

Enquiries

For enquiries about this opportunity please contact Dr Jessica Grieger: jessica.grieger@adelaide.edu.au

General Enquiries

Email: hdrindustryenq@adelaide.edu.au