An opportunity is available for an Australian student with a psychology, mental health or public health background to commence a PhD with scholarship at the University of Southern Queensland in 2023, to be aligned with the national research team working on the project “Translating evidence-based interventions into population-level digital models of care for child and adolescent mental health.”
Funded through the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), The University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Health Research is leading a societally impactful research program that aims to translate knowledge about evidence-based psychological practice (regarding the detection, diagnosis, treatment and recovery of mental health conditions) into affordable, digital solutions for young people aged 7 to 17 years. This project involves working in collaboration with partnering universities including the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Australian National University and Federation University, as well as partnering government (e.g. West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network) and non-government organisations (e.g. Education Queensland, Kids Helpline and Stride).
This is a unique opportunity for potential PhD students interested in the area of child and youth mental health and digital mental health service provision. Opportunities will be provided to collaborate with world-renowned researchers across Australia’s leading universities, to develop the successful applicant’s early career research profile, and to gain access to a wide range of formal and informal mentoring and team development opportunities.
The University of Southern Queensland is currently looking to fund one research-only PhD candidate to contribute to the implementation of an online, tailored intervention, that aims to treat symptoms of anxiety and/or depression amongst youth aged 7-17 years. The online platform is built; however, this project includes opportunities to work with the team to implement the digital intervention across Australia and answer research questions relating to the implementation process. This may include working with partners to examine strategies for implementing the digital platform in different healthcare settings, exploring the utility of different implementation strategies, and evaluating the overall uptake, acceptability, and utility of the digital mental health platform by users, referrers, and clinicians.
In collaboration with the various team members and supervisors, the successful candidate will be given the opportunity to develop their project aims in line with their individual experience and interests. This project will allow the candidate to develop his/her capabilities as a researcher and support them in contributing to research that makes a substantial difference in the lives of young people struggling with anxiety and depression. In doing so, the research team aims to help the candidate to develop a program of research that will ultimately result in publications within high impact Q1 journals and have meaningful impact and standing within the research community.
MRFF Funded PhD Scholarship – Digital Mental Health Implementation
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the recipient must:
- have completed a research-based postgraduate qualification in a discipline related to the project (e.g. Psychology, mental health, public health);
- ideally be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
- be eligible to be enrolled in full-time on-campus;
- not be in receipt of similar funding from the Australian Government;
- be native English speakers and/or meet UniSQ’s English Language Requirements for International applicants;
- commence the PhD program in 2023.
Applicants are not asked to prepare statements to address selection criteria. The successful applicant will be awarded this scholarship on the basis of demonstrated academic ability as indicated on their CV, statement addressing their suitability, a reference, and on the quality, scope, and alignment of their project proposal to the focus of the “Digital models of care” research program.
To apply, please include digital copies of the following information:
- Curriculum vitae; encompassing any research presentations and/or publications;
- Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal (DOTX 153KB), to be completed with Prof Sonja March;
- Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards);
- Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship (no more than one double-spaced page);
- One reference letter (preferably from a research supervisor).
Applications must be made via the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System by the closing date.
If you require assistance in completing your application please download the Scholarship Online Application Manual (PDF 2.14MB).
Intending applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Sonja March for more information and to discuss project proposal and support requirements prior to submitting.