PhD Scholarship for AHPRA-Registered Dentists in Sleep Health

Change lives through advancing the science of sleep with impactful PhD research at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health at Flinders University.

• Receive a $40,000 per annum scholarship tax free, for up to 3 years.
• Develop your research skills with an experienced sleep research team
• Engage in cutting-edge dental sleep medicine research

Flinders University at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health are offering a PhD Scholarship for a an AHPRA-registered dentist to undertake innovative research in sleep research, working with experienced an experienced team of researchers in this specialised field.

The Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health is a transdisciplinary team comprising more than 60 health and medical professionals, students and researchers collectively combining clinical, physiology, psychology, engineering and epidemiology expertise. The group also have external expert and consumer advisory groups that provide well-developed links to internationally-based Universities, industry partners, professional societies and representatives of those who matter most: patients and the community. The Institute is ideally placed to design and translate novel and practical diagnostic and treatment including new personalised approaches to improve sleep in the lives of people who suffer from sleep disorders, including the two most common disorders insomnia and sleep apnoea. The successful applicant will be involved in cutting-edge research with this multi-award winning team including fitting mandibular advancement splint devices for the treatment and management of sleep apnoea.

The student will be embedded within the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health throughout their candidature. This purpose-built sleep research facility is made up of approximately 900sqm of research and laboratory spaces, including a fully configurable six-bedroom, acoustically treated laboratory equipped with the latest technology to measure respiratory and brain function. There is also separate state of the art driver simulator room and virtual reality space. In addition, there are Sleep Health Clinic Rooms for consultations and clinical research.

During the PhD candidature the student will:

• Undertake a full-time PhD (preferred or part-time as negotiated) and meet all key candidature milestones for timely completion as per the university guidelines.
• Translate academic knowledge into practice that results in better provision of dental sleep health services for patients
• Practically apply academic skills to practical outcomes that bolster the practice, performance and evidence base for the use of dental sleep devices to treat sleep apnoea
• Communicate research-based evidence, and new research results to both lay and academic audiences
• Assist Industry Partners and Flinders University with various engagements that are aligned with the objectives of the research project.
• Proactively seek external opportunities to communicate, educate and translate research findings to external education or research bodies to bolster communication and knowledge translation.

This Scholarship offers:

• $40,000 per annum tax free, for up to 3 years
• Access to academic and industry expertise through joint supervision
• A supportive environment to learn leading-edge research methods and become an expert in the area of dental sleep medicine
• The opportunity to manage a complex research project and respond innovatively to challenges
• A collaborative research community where you can enhance your skills and build your network to progress your clinical research career 

To be eligible for the Scholarship you will need:

• A current AHPRA dental registration. An interest in sleep-specific dentistry and the treatment and management of sleep disorders.
• To be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have, or are eligible to apply for, a relevant international visa; and
• Meet Flinders University PhD admission requirements – an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), or evidence of equivalent research experiences, such as refereed publications or significant experience as a lead researcher.  Award of the scholarship is conditional on the selected applicant being admitted to the PhD program.
• Scholarship recipients are expected to take up their studies as soon as practicable within a timeframe specified by the Office of Graduate Research, up to a maximum of 3 months from the time of acceptance of the scholarship. 
• Currently hold or willing to undertake a National Police Criminal History Check, Working with Children Check and Complete the Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN)-EC Training.
• Intend to enrol as a full-time student at Flinders University