PhD Opportunity – Liver Metastases and the Failure of Anti-Tumour Immunity in Melanoma
Location: Camperdown – Charles Perkins Centre – Melanoma Institute Australia
Program Type: PhD (Full-time)
Supervisors: A/Prof Inês Pires da Silva, Prof Georgina Long, Dr Jordan Conway
Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) research and clinical teams have been at the forefront of global melanoma advances. Little more than a decade ago, advanced melanoma, where disease had spread around the body, was an almost certain death sentence. Now, thanks to our research and new treatments, including immunotherapy, more than 55% of advanced melanoma patients are effectively cured. Many thousands of lives have been saved as a result. Our focus is now on the remaining 45% of advanced melanoma patients who either don’t respond to, or develop resistance to, the same treatments that prove life saving for others.
About the Project
Liver metastases are strongly associated with poor or absent responses to life-saving immunotherapy in advanced melanoma. This project will investigate how liver metastases alter both local and systemic anti-tumour immunity, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic strategies to overcome this resistance.
You will:
- Characterise and compare the tumour–immune microenvironment of liver metastases with other metastatic sites
- Investigate systemic immune changes in patients with and without liver metastases
- Develop and apply advanced pre-clinical mouse models of multi-organ metastasis, with a focus on liver disease
- Employ pre-clinical imaging, multiplex immunohistochemistry, and multi-omic immune profiling
This project is embedded in the Melanoma Translational Research Group at the Melanoma Institute Australia, working alongside world-leading scientists and clinicians with access to exceptional biospecimen collections and advanced research facilities.
Key Selection Criteria
We are seeking a high-calibre, motivated candidate who can work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
Essential:
- Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident (domestic applicants only)
- Honours Class I or equivalent in biomedical science, immunology, cancer biology, or related field
- Strong laboratory skills, with demonstrated experience in at least one of the following: flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, or cell culture
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to analyse and interpret scientific data
Highly Desirable:
- Experience in animal handling and in vivo experimental techniques (e.g., tumour models, surgical procedures, imaging)
- Prior research experience in immunology, oncology, or tumour microenvironment studies
- Familiarity with bioinformatics or multi-omics data analysis
Scholarship & Support
Eligible candidates must apply for competitive scholarships through the University of Sydney or other funding bodies.
How to Apply
Send your CV, academic transcript, and a short statement (max 1 page) outlining your research experience and motivation for this project to A/Prof Inês Pires da Silva via the link below.
