Detecting a novel hypoxia-promoted epigenetic mark and its pathological significance to prostate cancer

About this project

Advance better understanding and treatment of prostate cancer

If you are seeking to build a career in the health, medical & care industry and are concerned about the treatment effectiveness of prostate cancer, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Centre for Cancer Biology.

Advanced prostate cancer (PC) grows within the hypoxic microenvironment of the bone. We aim to investigate how exposure to hypoxia affects gene expression across the tumour microenvironment by understanding whether the altered metabolism that occurs under hypoxia may induce rapid alteration in gene expression through specific epigenetic events. Specifically, our research will study the association of hypoxia, metabolism and epigenetic regulation in advanced prostate cancer cells and immune cells with the intent that this combined knowledge will aid our understanding of how this biology contributes to treatment-resistance and the acquisition of an immunosuppressive niche that promotes disease progression. 

What you’ll do 

In this project-based research degree, you will undertake extensive cellular and molecular investigation of cell adaptation to hypoxia using a range of experimental techniques including mass-spectrometry, next-generation sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and flow cytometry analysis. Our hypothesis will be investigated using a series of three-dimensional spheroid models of tumours developed by biomaterials research and the study of human prostate cancer tissue. Successful progression of the project will provide the opportunity for you to attend national and/or international conferences and participate in collaborative research projects with other external organisations. 

Where you’ll be based

This project will be undertaken in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB), a University-embedded Medical Research Institute located in the heart of the Health Innovation Precinct at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. CCB is a dynamic research environment and home to over twenty research-intensive teams spanning early-stage discovery, translational research and clinical evaluation. It works in close partnership with neighbouring research institutes including SAIGENCI and SAHMRI to access complementary research technologies, expertise and access to additional high-throughput platforms. CCB provides facilities for cell and biomaterials-focused research, comprehensive pathology suites to conduct profiling of tumour tissue, and flow cytometry platforms to conduct immune-profiling analysis. CCB also hosts the ACRF Cancer Genomics Laboratory and is adjacent to the NCRIS/Bioplatforms Australia Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Laboratory directed by the project co-supervisor Prof Peter Hoffman. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum (2025 rate) is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $50,291 per annum. A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time. 

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. Additionally applicants must address the project selection criteria:

• A commitment to undertaking cancer research, highlighting any specific knowledge of prostate cancer or the study of treatment-resistance
• Research experience to date including a summary of your learning

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and be based at our City West campus in the heart of Adelaide.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Sunday 12 January 2025.