Flinders University PhD Scholarship, Australia 2024

Application is now open for the Flinders University PhD Scholarship. Interested applicants are encouraged to send in their applications before the deadline date.

About Flinders University and Scholarship

Flinders University, a prominent public research institution situated in Adelaide, South Australia, is actively seeking an exceptional Ph.D. candidate to spearhead an innovative research program. This initiative is part of the broader NHMRC Ideas Grant, titled “Personalised daily body-clock tracking and circadian light therapy retiming to improve sleep, performance, health, and safety.” The project is supported by a collaborative and multidisciplinary team comprising experts from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, the Medical Device Research Institute (affiliated with Flinders University), and the Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre (associated with the University of South Australia).

This ambitious project aims to refine and test a cutting-edge wearable sensor method for daily circadian rhythm tracking. This technology aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing the presence and avoidance of blue light throughout the day for enhancing daily body-clock adjustments.

Despite significant strides in understanding the mechanisms of the body clock system, practical and proven methods for daily circadian tracking remain elusive. The absence of such methods poses challenges in circadian sleep medicine, relying on approximations for determining when circadian issues necessitate light therapy and the ideal timing for such interventions. The envisioned breakthroughs in this project have the potential to address a substantial clinical gap in sleep medicine and, in the future, revolutionize circadian tracking for broader health applications.

This Ph.D. scholarship opportunity is anchored at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health, with supervision provided by Prof. Peter Catcheside, Dr. Hannah Scott, and Dr. Phuc Nguyen. The collaborative and supportive research environment at Flinders University, combined with the forward-thinking approach of the investigative team, creates a fertile ground for a Ph.D. candidate to contribute significantly to the advancement of circadian science and its practical applications in health and well-being.

Details about Flinders University PhD Scholarship:

Scholarship Sponsor: Flinders University, Australia

Scholarship Value: $33,990 per annum

Number of awards: N/A

Study level: PhD

Host Institution(s): Flinders University, Australia

Benefits

The scholarship includes:

• A $33,990* annual tax-free stipend for three years.
• A scholarship to offset the cost of the research training program for permanent residents, citizens of New Zealand, and citizens of Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for Flinders University PhD Scholarship

Applicants are advised to meet the following prerequisites to be qualified for the Flinders University PhD Scholarship:

• Possess citizenship from either Australia or New Zealand, or hold permanent residency status; and
• Fulfill the requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program, which include having an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or an equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), with a research component of at least six months of full-time study culminating in a Distinction (75%) OR demonstrating equivalent research experience with a substantial first-author refereed publication or a track record as an investigator on a competitive grant.
• Be able to start studying for a PhD at Flinders University full-time in the first semester of 2024.

It is desirable for candidates to have:

• Experience in sleep and/or circadian rhythm research.
• Disciplinary background in Psychology, Physiology and other health fields, Engineering, or Data Analytics. 

Note: The project lead will decide who gets to be the lucky recipient.

Application Procedure for Flinders University PhD Scholarship

Are you interested and eligible for the scholarship? Fill out the online application form.

Those who have not yet applied for admission to a relevant HDR but are interested in the scholarship opportunity must also do so. Admissions instructions are available at https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/apply/apply-research-degree/how-to-apply.

Applicants understand that the “Supervisor confirmation” is required to be referred to to submit this unique application for the scholarship.

Note: Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore their interest and eligibility in the opportunity with Dr Hannah Scott (hannah.scott@flinders.edu.au) and Prof Peter Catcheside via email (peter.catcheside@flinders.edu.au) before applying for the scholarship. The Project Lead Investigator may extend an invitation to apply and request a copy of your resume and a cover letter detailing your background in research, experience, and relevant qualifications.

The Application Deadline is: January 31, 2024

Not interested in this particular scholarship? See other Australia scholarships here.