Monash University Malaysia GEMS PhD – MD/QSAR Screening of Natural Compounds for Dengue Antivirals
Overview
GEMS 2026 PhD at Monash University Malaysia on computational (MD/QSAR/docking) screening of natural compounds for dengue antivirals. Regional mobility scholarship with up to 9 months at a partner Monash campus/IIT Bombay. Deadline: 29 October 2026.
Eligibility
Minimum First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia, plus English language requirements. Lab experience in molecular virology, animal cell culture and molecular biology assays expected; immunology background and omics-analysis experience advantageous.
Benefits
Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS): regional mobility funding for an immersive period of up to 9 months at Monash University Australia, Monash University Indonesia, or IIT Bombay, plus access to Monash's global research network during candidature.
Available Fields
Required Documents
Application citing the same GEMS research topic as advertised, selecting the Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS); see the application submission guide for full requirements.
Application Process
First contact the main supervisor (Dr Kooi Yeong Khaw) with your academic background to check fit, then submit your application via the Monash Malaysia GEMS process.
A PhD Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS 2026) project at Monash University Malaysia, developing an in-silico pipeline to prioritise natural anti-dengue compounds using molecular dynamics and QSAR modelling.
Opportunity
PhD Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS 2026). Research Project: Molecular Dynamics (MD)/QSAR screening of natural compounds for dengue antivirals
Supervisor
Dr Kooi Yeong Khaw
University
Monash University Malaysia — Pharmacy
Country
Malaysia
Location
Subang Jaya, Malaysia
Study Level
PhD
About the Project
The project develops a streamlined in-silico pipeline to prioritise natural anti-dengue compounds. Curated plant-derived and pharmacopeial libraries will be standardised, docked against dengue and host targets, and evaluated via molecular dynamics (MD) for complex stability (RMSD/RMSF, hydrogen bonds) and binding free energy (MM/GBSA). MD-derived features and chemical descriptors will train QSAR models using public antiviral datasets. Top candidates are filtered by drug-likeness and predicted ADMET, delivering a ranked hit list for wet-lab validation. Part of the “Predict-and-Prevent Severe Dengue: AI-Guided Multi-Omics & Natural-Compound Screening” thematic cluster.
Who Can Apply
Laboratory experience in molecular virology, strong animal cell culture skills, and competency in standard molecular biology assays for antiviral testing. Strength in hypothesis-led experimental design and data integrity expected. Background in immunology and omics-based data analysis experience is advantageous. Structured training and cross-site mentoring via Monash BDI provided.
Eligibility
Minimum First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia, plus the University’s English language requirements.
Funding Notes
The Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS), funded by Monash University Malaysia, features regional mobility and is awarded to highly qualified students for projects of regional/global relevance. Recipients are funded for an immersive period of up to 9 months at Monash University Australia, Monash University Indonesia, or IIT Bombay, with access to Monash’s global research network during candidature.
How to Apply
Contact the main supervisor first with your academic background to check fit, then submit your application citing the same GEMS research topic as advertised, selecting the Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS).
Application Deadline
29 October 2026.
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