PhD Scholarship Opportunities in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Stem Cell Medicine Unit
Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) and The University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia

The Stem Cell Medicine Unit at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI), affiliated with The University of Sydney, is seeking highly motivated PhD candidates to join our internationally recognised research program developing therapies for inherited retinal diseases. Our lab is also interested in organoid tissue engineering and human retinogenesis.

We currently have two PhD projects available

Project 1: Cell Therapy for Vision Restoration

This project focuses on the development of stem cell-derived photoreceptor cells using organoids for transplantation therapies for inherited retinal diseases.

The successful candidate will work on generating and characterising retinal cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells, with the goal of replacing lost or damaged photoreceptors and restoring visual function. Research activities will include:

• Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture and differentiation
• Retinal organoid generation and optimisation
• Development of photoreceptor transplantation strategies into mouse models of retinal degeneration
• Cell purification and characterisation
• Advanced imaging and functional assessment

Project 2: Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Diseases

This project focuses on developing gene augmentation and gene editing approaches for the treatment of inherited retinal disorders.

The successful candidate will contribute to designing and testing novel gene therapies using patient-derived stem cell models and retinal organoids. Research activities may include:

• AAV vector development and optimisation
• Gene editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas-based approaches
• Disease modelling using patient-derived iPSCs
• Retinal organoid characterisation
• Functional assessment of therapeutic outcomes
• Molecular and genomic analyses, including single-cell technologies

About the Research Environment

The successful candidate will join the laboratory of Associate Professor Anai Gonzalez-Cordero, a leader in stem cell biology, retinal development, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine.

The Stem Cell Medicine Unit provides a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• Stem cell and organoid platforms
• Advanced microscopy facilities
• Genomics and bioinformatics support
• Flow cytometry and cell sorting facilities
• Gene therapy and vector production capabilities
• Translational and preclinical research infrastructure

Candidates will be enrolled through The University of Sydney while conducting their research at CMRI, one of Australia’s leading independent medical research institutes.

Eligibility

Applicants should have:

• First Class Honours, Master’s degree, or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline
• A background in stem cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, biotechnology, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• A strong interest in basic and translational biomedical research

Previous experience in stem cell culture, molecular biology, gene editing, bioinformatics, or retinal biology will be highly regarded.

Scholarship Support

If interested contact Dr Anai (agonzalez-cordero@cmri.org.au) asap. Selected candidates will then apply for a competitive PhD scholarships through CMRI (Closing date 31/10/2026 for July 2027 start).