Research Training
Supporting the development of the next generation of Microbiome Researchers across medicine, health, science and bioinformatics
Our "grow your own" philosophy
We believe we have the responsibility to develop the best and most well-rounded researchers who are well-versed in all aspects of microbiome research, including clinical/ in vivo/ in vitro models, bioinformatics, and molecular and cellular biology.
Every year, we offer a number of honours, and doctoral projects in addition to having visiting scholars from local, national and international universities.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for students who have the potential to be rising stars. This means that you are hard-working, diligent, and, importantly, have an inquisitive mind. We accept students from many fields, including medicine, allied health, biomedicine, science, data science and many others.
What our previous students say about us!
I am Colin Cui a fifth-year UNSW medical student and I completed my honours year at the MRC working on the HOAM study. I have a deep interest in the gastrointestinal system and learning about how the microbiome plays a role in regulating health and disease is fascinating to me. The Microbiome Research Center is a pioneering institute of microbiome research in Australia and the perfect place to learn more about this vast, complex and underexplored “final frontier”. Additionally, the MRC has a wonderful culture of teaching staff and supervisors who are keen to facilitate your learning.
I am extremely grateful for all the support and guidance my supervisors, Prof. El-Omar, Dr. Jiang and Dr. Fitzmaurice, and the MRC team at large have provided me. I have greatly enjoyed my honours year at the MRC which has such a warm, wonderful and friendly environment with staff who are passionate about their work and keen to help you learn. The culture at the MRC fosters learning for honours students to PhD and beyond with regular journal clubs, education sessions and seminars, which we all get to present at. During my time at the MRC, I learnt many skills with wet lab processing, bioinformatics and scientific presentations which were so interesting and different to my usual experience as a medical student. These skills will be important to me in future projects as well.
I am currently on hospital placements as part of my medical degree and continuing with my research projects. The year I have spent at the MRC has developed my data analysis, writing and presenting skills which I have greatly enjoyed. I wish to continue researching and understanding more about the microbiome and gastrointestinal conditions at large in my current and future career projects
Our research
At the Microbiome Research Centre (MRC), our work is organized into several research themes—Cancer, Women’s and Children’s Health, Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, Critical Care, Mental Health, and Neuroscience. Each year, we offer a range of projects that align with one or more of these focal areas. You will undertake your project under the guidance of a senior researcher, supported by one or more co-supervisors with specific expertise in your chosen field. For this year’s projects, please see the section below.
We welcome researchers who have independently developed their own research proposals, as we value fresh ideas and unique perspectives. For your idea, please select the theme it most closely aligns with and reach out to the theme lead for a discussion.
Cancer
Women and Children’s Health
Infection, Immunity and Inflammation
Critical Care
Mental Health and Neuroscience
2025 Honours Projects
(For February 2026 Start)
Application process is through UNSW.
This is currently open. Please contact UNSW or a potential supervisor directly .
Research Programs
(For Doctoral and Masters Programs )
All the programs are administered through UNSW
For details of high research degree schemes visit , https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/hdr/phd
Below is a list of our current PhD projects.
Doctoral and Masters Projects
PhD in Bioinformatics – AIM study
PhD positions in Bioinformatics Professor Georgina Hold is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in bioinformatics or computational biology to join her research group at the Microbiome Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of...
