The Tuberculosis Centre of Research Excellence (TB CRE) is pleased to invite applications for two PhD scholarships in tuberculosis research. These prestigious opportunities will support cutting-edge research related to tuberculosis (TB) and contribute to the TB CRE’s global efforts to combat this critical public health challenge.

These three‑year PhD scholarships will support research directly related to TB, undertaken under the guidance of senior TB CRE researchers across the following two projects:

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• PhD Project 1: “The epidemiology and clinical management of drug-resistant tuberculosis”, supervised by Professor Greg Fox (TB CRE Investigator) at the University of Sydney.

• PhD Project 2: “Identification and Evaluation of Novel anti-TB Therapeutics using Human 3D Macrophage Models”, supervised by Associate Professor Bernadette Saunders (the University of Technology Sydney) and Associate Professor Simone Barry (Royal Adelaide Hospital) at the University of Technology Sydney.

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Selection Process

• Applicants should submit a resume (including key publications and other research achievements) and a cover letter describing their suitability for the position to  tbcre.support@sydney.edu.au.

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview

• The final decision regarding the award of scholarships and fellowships will be made by the TB CRE Executive, and will be subject to the conditions of the award.

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If you have any questions about the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit our TB CRE website or contact our TB CRE Administrator at tbcre.support@sydney.edu.au

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Applications close Sunday, 26 April 2026 (AEDT)

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Selection Criteria and conditions​

• Outstanding academic records and research achievement relative to opportunity, with reference to NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship Category Descriptors for academic record and research achievement (see Appendix).

• High chance of attracting another external scholarship funding or grant funding.

• Likely to be a strong contributor to the TB CRE community and research agenda throughout the lifetime of their PhD scholarship

• Overall complementarity with existing activities and areas of focus championed by different Chief Investigators. Supervisory teams will include at least two TB CRE Chief Investigators and/or Associate Investigators, preferably from different institutions.

• The PhD Scholarship opportunities are only available to Australia based candidates (an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident)

 

Scholarship grant period

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PhD scholarships are funded for a maximum of 3 years of full-time equivalent study for a PhD degree, and subject to the conditions of the host University. All proposed part-time arrangements must be agreed by the applicant’s nominated supervisor and approved by the University.

 

If a scholar receives a NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarship, RTP stipend or other scholarship for their PhD during the time of their TB CRE scholarship, then they will cease to receive the full TB CRE scholarship. They may be entitled to a $10,000 top-up stipend to their new PhD scholarship, if they continue to make a strong contribution to the TB-CRE and subject to the approval of the TB CRE Executive.

Conditions for application to commence funding for the TB CRE PhD scholarship include:

• These two scholarships are available to Australian residents or citizens only. It will be available to applicants who obtains a tuition fee waiver and stipend from the host Australian University. Selection for all scholarships will be based upon the merit of their application against other candidates.

• Students must have an accepted offer for a PhD place at the University of the primary supervisor within a three month period of receiving the offer otherwise the offer will expire (in exceptional circumstances, subject to review by the CRE Executive, this may be extended).

• Funding is conditional upon University requirements for enrolment having being met, and the PhD commencing.

• Not have received a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship, or an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) stipend (or equivalent), at the time of application and not have exceeded 12 months of full-time enrolment for a PhD degree.

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