Breakthrough PhD Scholarship: Men's Relationship Distress, Separation, and Mental Health

Description

We are seeking an exceptional candidate for a PhD scholarship focused on men's experiences of relationship distress and separation, and the impact of this on mental health and suicide risk. The successful candidate will contribute to innovative research that could include qualitative and quantitative methodologies, co-designed interventions, and partnerships with clinical and community services.

This project is based at Flinders University, led by Breakthrough Research Fellow Dr Ian Zajac. This project is part of a broader program of work aimed at understanding and addressing the complex interplay between masculine identity, emotional distress, and suicidality in men. This scholarship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of lived experience, mental health research, and translational impact.

The candidate will be supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team and embedded within a dynamic research environment committed to reducing suicide risk among men. They will have access to professional development, research training, and opportunities for national collaboration, with scope to shape a project that aligns with their interests and strengths within the broader research program.

Benefits

The scholarship includes:

• a stipend  valued at $35,010 (2025 rate) per annum tax free (indexed annually)
• the scholarship will be awarded for three years
• a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents

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 available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University no later than semester 1, 2026 (or by negotiation);

ADMISSION to HDR

Those who apply for the scholarship opportunity that have not already applied for admission to a relevant HDR must also apply.  Instructions on how to apply for admission can be found here: https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/apply/apply-research-degree/how-to-apply

By lodging this separate application, applicants acknowledge: 

• The ‘Supervisor confirmation’ must refer to the application for this scholarship
• The application for PhD admission will only be assessed where:
  • The applicant is successful in being awarded the scholarship