PhD Scholarship: Investigating Circadian Light Sensitivity, Sleep Reactivity and PTSD Vulnerability

Description

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to undertake a program of research within a Wellcome-funded project (Mental Health Award, 2024) entitled "Circadian light sensitivity as a mechanism for PTSD vulnerability." This exciting project is supported by a multidisciplinary team and based at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI): Sleep Health (Flinders University).

Light regulates circadian rhythms, and unhealthy patterns of light exposure have negative impacts on mental health. While disrupted circadian rhythms have been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the causal mechanisms remain unknown. This project investigates the hypothesis that light exposure at night increases the risk of developing PTSD after a potentially traumatic event, and that individuals with higher light sensitivity are therefore at elevated risk. The broader goal is to identify those most likely to develop PTSD and enable targeted countermeasures to help prevent its onset.

Within this program, the successful candidate will undertake a deep circadian phenotyping project focused specifically on light sensitivity — examining how it relates to sleep disturbance and sleep reactivity, and how these factors may increase the risk of developing PTSD after a potentially traumatic event. The PhD will involve circadian laboratory work with participants and hands-on training across a range of assessment techniques, including dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) assessments, pupillometry to characterise individual light sensitivity, sleep studies, and the administration of sleep and mental health–related measures. The project also includes a 3-month industry placement, providing applied experience beyond the academic setting.

This PhD scholarship is based at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health (Flinders University) in Adelaide, and your primary supervisor will be Dr Hailey Meaklim, with associate supervisors Dr Malisa Burge and Prof Sean Cain. There is scope to refine your specific PhD research project to your research interests. If you are interested in this, please discuss this option with Dr Meaklim prior to applying for this scholarship.

Benefits

The scholarship includes a yearly stipend valued at $35,010.00 (2026 rate) tax free for three years. Recipients who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, or hold Australian Permanent Residency status will be provided an RTP Fee Offset which covers tuition fees charged by the university for up to three years. The scholarship also includes a 3-month industry placement.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• Be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; and
• Meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
• Be enrolling as a full-time PhD student and be available to commence at Flinders University at any time during 2027, ideally in Semester 1; and
• Have had their candidature accepted in the area in which they propose to undertake their studies.

It is desirable for applicants to have:

• A disciplinary background in Psychology, Physiology, other health fields, clinical sciences, biomedical sciences, or related areas.
• Experience in sleep and/or circadian rhythm research.
• A high level of verbal communication and organisational skills.