A combination B-And T-cell epitope vaccine to futureproof COVID-19 vaccine

The opportunity we are currently  seeking a PhD candidate to work on a 2nd generation combination B-and T-cell epitope vaccine aimed at futureproofing the COVID-19 vaccine. This project’s goal is to develop a vaccine that can overcome the original antigenic sin (OAS) response in the COVID-19 vaccine recipients and enhance the neutralizing antibody (NAb) and CD8+ T cell repertoire to provide protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). The primary focus of this role includes:

(i) Designing a Combination B-and T-cell epitope (COMBAT) vaccine with protective epitopes from SARS-COV2.

(ii) Assessing the protective efficacy of COMBAT in in vitro and  in vivo models.

(iii) Modelling the boosting effect of COMBAT in COVID-19  vaccine recipients.

Success in this role requires collaboration with internal institute members and external collaborators across Australia and around the globe.

Scholarship details

Comprising over 200 research scientists, students and support staff, the Institute for Glycomics strives to be a world leader in the discovery and development of next generation drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for diseases of global impact.

Established in 2000, the Institute for Glycomics is one of Australia’s flagship multidisciplinary translational biomedical research institutes, based in the heart of Griffith University’s beautiful Gold Coast campus.

The Institute boasts state-of-the-art facilities combined with some of the world’s most outstanding researchers focused on glycomics, a constantly expanding field that explores the structural and functional properties of carbohydrates (or sugars) and their roles in disease.

The Institute’s research primarily targets identification, prevention and cures for cancers, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, with a focus on translational research to have a positive impact on human health globally.

The project will be supervised by Assoc Prof Manisha Pandey Principal Research Fellow and Research Leader.

Associate Professor Manisha Pandey specializes in microbiology, vaccinology, and immunology, with a primary emphasis on translational research related to Streptococcus pyogenes vaccine development and the development of a second-generation COVID-19 vaccine. Her research is dedicated to devising strategies to target adaptive immunity in infectious diseases, aiming to develop preventive and therapeutic solutions. Her core research interest involves unravelling the immune mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions and understanding the development of immunity post-vaccination or natural infection. Currently, she is advancing leading streptococcal vaccine candidates towards clinical trials in both Australia and Canada

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you must be able to develop technical laboratory skills, as well as skills in research methodology, data analysis, and scientific writing. You should also have evidence of a passion for Science, with a strong desire to undertake research in the area of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology and Vaccine Development. Applicants must have excellent writing abilities, and be able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary and international research team.

  • Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
  • Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

  1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
  2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
  3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

The 2023 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $32,192 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

For project related enquiries please contact:

Associate Professor Manisha Pandey

Phone: (07) 5552 7712/ 0402 715 225


Email: m.pandey@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School



Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to m.pandey@griffith.edu.au containing:

  • Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
  • Research  proposal
  • Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
  • Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  Friday  03 November 2023

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line