The development of better drugs for heart failure

PhD scholarship opportunity at the Ferrier Research Institute.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Are you passionate about cutting-edge drug development and eager to make a real-world impact? The Ferrier Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington is offering an exciting PhD scholarship to help transform the treatment of heart failure. Join our steroid chemistry team in the quest to develop a next-generation mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) that could bring significant benefits to heart failure therapies.

Project outline

This project aims to design and synthesize new steroidal MRAs with the potential to treat heart failure more effectively, minimizing the dangerous side effects of existing medications. In collaboration with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, you’ll contribute to research that targets the heart’s mineralocorticoid receptor—one of the primary drivers of heart failure progression.

Why is this research important? While current MRA drugs show promise, their severe side effects—such as hyperkalemia and reduced kidney function—limit their use in clinical practise. By developing selective MRAs that overcome these challenges, we aim to develop a safer, more effective heart failure treatment.

Based at the Ferrier Research Institute, Gracefield Research Centre, in Wellington, New Zealand, this PhD project will involve compound design using molecular modelling software, multi-step chemical syntheses of target compounds, their purification and characterisation by NMR and MS spectroscopy, HPLC analysis, and so on. The PhD candidate must be in New Zealand or able to get to New Zealand to carry out this study. Doctors Andreas Luxenburger and Joshua Buckler will be the supervisors.

Funding

This position will carry an annual stipend of $35K per annum for three years and cover full student fees and levies.

Funding Notes

The applicant must be eligible for admission to the PhD programme at Victoria University of Wellington. A GPA of 7.5 or greater (on a 9 point scale), First Class Honours or Master’s grade and demonstration of proficiency in English are essential. The PhD scholarship provides tuition fees and a tax-free personal allowance of NZ$35K per annum for three years. International candidates receive the same package as New Zealand residents provided they reside in New Zealand for the duration of the project and study under a New Zealand student visa.

Contacts and next steps

Please apply to our postgraduate coordinator, Dr Alison Daines, at ferrierPGC@vuw.ac.nz. When applying please ensure all required documents are attached:

  • all degree certificates and transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate MSc—officially translated into English where necessary)
  • detailed CV
  • details of two academic referees
  • a statement of your research interests.

Conditions

The recipient will need to sign a Victoria University of Wellington Research Scholarship contract and a confidentiality agreement

Closing date

Applications remain open until filled.