Investigating Veterinary Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Sarcoptic Mange in Wombats
PhD Scholarship
The Therapeutic Targeting Research Group has a PhD Scholarship opportunity available for a student to join our team interested in undertaking translational research in the area of veterinary nanomedicine for wildlife conservation. As part of this research project, the successful student will investigate innovative and improved pharmaceutical treatments for sarcoptic mange in wombats.
This project addresses an urgent and serious animal welfare issue that is rapidly decimating our native wombat population. Sarcoptic mange, a parasitic infection caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, is responsible for hundreds of wombat deaths every year and has led to declines in the wombat population of up to 94% across regions in Australia. Without effective treatment, infected wombats suffer a slow and painful death, usually within 2 to 3 months. This project aims to develop improved antiparasitic formulations using innovative pharmaceutical approaches that can effectively treat sarcoptic mange infected wombats, without the need to handle or capture the animals.
The successful applicant will incorporate cutting-edge biological and pharmaceutical techniques to comprehensively understand the biological considerations for improved drug delivery in wombats. This project will involve in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments, including a veterinary clinical trial in wombats.
The research project and scholarship are funded by an ARC Discovery Project Grant led by Associate Professor Susan Hua with Dr Hayley Stannard (Charles Sturt University) and Associate Professor Joanne Connolly (Charles Sturt University). This project will provide the opportunity for world-class training in the unique field of veterinary nanomedicine for wildlife conservation.
The project is laboratory-based and is expected to be undertaken onsite in Newcastle, full-time, starting as soon as possible in January/February 2026.
PhD Scholarship details
Funding: $38,938 per annum (2026 rate) indexed annually. For a PhD candidate, the living allowance scholarship and tuition fee scholarship are for 3.5 years. Scholarships also include up to $1,500 relocation allowance.
Supervisor: A/Prof Susan Hua
Available to: Domestic students
PhD
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant will need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, and a statement of their research interests, capabilities, and reasons for wanting to apply for this project
Please send the email expressing interest to Susan.Hua@newcastle.edu.au by 5pm on 12 January 2026.
Applications Close 12 January 2026 Apply Now
- Contact: A/Prof Susan Hua
- Phone: +61 2 4985 4063
- Email: Susan.Hua@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.