Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Biosciences

Undertake a PhD in Medical Biosciences

Help to cure disease and improve health with scientific solutions to clinical dilemmas

At the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), our expert researchers work with health practitioners, patients and with one of the largest networks of remote and rural community partnerships to better understand and seek solutions to the most pressing health and medical needs of Australians.

Ground-breaking and world-class research requires excellent researchers – now and in the future.

As a FHMRI PhD candidate, our expertise, support and mentorship prepare you to have maximum impact, and to make a difference in your future career.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine)

Duration: 4 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106267C

Annual fees:
2025: $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Master of Science (Medicine)

Duration: 2 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106278M

Annual fees:
2025: $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) / Master of Business Administration (Future Business)

Duration: 5 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 113548B

Annual fees:
2025 MBA (Future Business): $42,700
2025 PhD (Medicine): $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Research supervisors

How to apply

Enquire

Why undertake a PhD in Medical Biosciences

Join our FHMRI researchers, undertaking cutting edge research to find scientific solutions to clinical problems.
You will make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing.
You will be supervised by leaders in their field and work with researchers and/or clinicians from other disciplines in a truly collaborative, real-world health and medical environment.
We are making discoveries across an array of research programs including understanding the nervous system and its roles in gut and vision, identifying novel molecules and pathways involved in cancer, tackling immune responses to antibiotics early in life and investigating deadly viruses like dengue and zika virus. Our researchers are creating new approaches to providing early disease detection methods and medical treatments.
FHMRI’s Research Education and Development (RED) Hub provides support, training and professional and personal development for our researchers. Become a FHMRI researcher and join our vibrant research community.
Whatever your previous degree, there will be a research training position for you in one of our multidisciplinary research teams.

PhD opportunities

PhD opportunities and supervisors within the FHMRI Medical Biosciences theme are available in the following research fields:

Cancer: Metabolism and cancer, environmental control of cell growth and division, prostate cancer, brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, multiple myeloma, leukaemia, precision medicine, cancer survivorship.
Infection and Immunity: Immune responses to antibiotics early in life, autoimmunity and diabetes, allergy and immune responses, understanding viruses including dengue, zika and SARS- Cov2.
Neuroscience: Gastrointestinal motility, brain pluripotent stem cells, the brain and stress responses, motor neuron disease, neurogastroenterology, insect vision, visceral pain.

HDR projects in Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute

Your career

A PhD in Medical Biosciences will position you as an expert in your area of specialisation. A PhD is a stepping stone to professional research or as a highly sought-after expert in the private or public sector in Australia and internationally. You will gain invaluable critical analysis skills.

This prestigious degree will equip you with valuable skills for developing successful grants, improving research quality and research capacity, and skills for developing collaboration and engagement with your peers, industry and consumers.

Potential occupations include:

Medical scientist
Industrial scientist
Academic
Industry

Potential employers include:

Hospital and clinical laboratories
Pathology services
Research Institutes
Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and agricultural industries
Health support services
Government

Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI)

FHMRI brings together world-leading, innovative and inspiring research experts to improve health, prevent disease and combat health inequalities.

We work with health practitioners, patients and with one of the largest networks of remote and rural community partnerships to better understand and seek solutions to the most pressing health and medical needs of Australians.

Find out more

Potential research supervisors

Our research supervisors are leaders in their field and work with researchers and/or clinicians from other disciplines in a truly collaborative, real-world health and medical environment. They are committed to educating the medical researchers of the future, and will mentor you and create tailored opportunities for your career pathway.

Professor Karin Nordstrom

Hear from Associate Professor Karin Nordstrom as she talks about PhD opportunities in Molecular Biosciences, as well as her own research interests.

Associate Professor Kim Hemsley

Associate Professor Kim Hemsley discusses the research opportunities available to HDR students.

Learn what to prepare before approaching a potential research supervisor.

Ready to find the perfect supervisor for your research journey?

Explore Research @ Flinders.

Find a supervisor

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application

Apply now

Enquire now

Review answers to regularly asked questions about applying for a higher degree by research (FAQs).

After reviewing the Study HDR web pages and FAQs above, if you still have questions that have not been answered, complete the form. You must provide details about the Reason for your enquiry in the text box 'Ask a question here’.

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