Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Primary Health Care Research Grant: Equitable access to full blood evaluation testing at the point-of-care in remote primary health

We are seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD scholarship within the MRFF Primary Health Care Research Project entitled: Equitable access to full blood evaluation testing at the point-of-care in remote primary health. This exciting project is a partnership between Flinders University, Sepsis Australia, Northern Territory Health, the National Community Controlled Health Organisation, the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and Point of Care Diagnostics.

The PhD project will be broadly based on implementation of a full blood evaluation (FBE) point-of-care testing device within the remote primary health care setting and evaluation of the implementation strategy and device performance. The precise focus of the research project will be decided upon collaboratively between the candidate and Principal supervisors.

The funded PhD scholarship will be based at any of the Flinders University campuses within South Australia or the Northern Territory. The principal supervisors will be Dr Brooke Spaeth (Flinders University, Bedford Park) and Dr Tina Noutsos (Flinders University, Darwin). Associate supervision may be provided by the other members of the research team located within Australia (Prof James Smith, Prof Billie Bonevski, Prof Jon Karnon, Associate Prof Chris Rissel, Dr Jacqueline Stephens, Dr Rodney Omond).

The scholarship includes:

• A stipend valued at $33,990* per annum (2024 rate) tax free.
• The scholarship will be awarded for 3 years.
• A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents.

A six-month funded extension is possible.

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 in semester 1, 2024.