PhD Scholar - Clinical Research

UQ CENTRE FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH (UQCCR)

In partnership with the Queensland Government and major US Philanthropic organisation Atlantic Philanthropies, The University of Queensland has developed the $70 million UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH). Focused on improving people's lives through patient-orientated research, UQCCR offers state-of-the-art facilities and brings together leading health professionals, clinicians and scientists from around the globe. By 'patient-orientated research' we mean research that is conducted in response to questions that arise at the bedside. This allows us to provide better treatment and results for patients, as well as adding to the body of knowledge about particular diseases or problems. The specific research target is to more effectively treat newborn brain injury and prevent conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Work towards a PhD degree, that will identify the neuronal mechanisms that underlie emergent brain function in newborn infants. You will integrate biologically plausible network models and neonatal electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the role of network patterns in the emergence of brain function in infants during normal and abnormal brain development. A multimodal approach and combination of state-of-the-art methods (MRI-imaging, EEG and the network science) will be used to uncover both the global brain network connectivity as well as specific local mechanisms in the generation of transient oscillatory patterns in the EEG of the neonatal brain. 

• a dynamic, stimulating and exciting research environment. You will be part of a unique innovative multidisciplinary research team focusing on perinatal neuroscience in a large translational research centre of Queensland’s leading University adjacent to Queensland’s largest hospital.
• ready access to clinical EEG and MRI data with an opportunity for hands on clinical data acquisition from babies.

You will be highly motivated to apply your theoretical and experimental skills to make a real difference in the exciting emerging area of newborn brain development and neurorehabilitation. You will have a background in one of the following areas: Applied mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Physics.

You will need to meet  the requirements of admission to a Research Higher Degree at the University of Queenland, as described at https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/uq-research-degrees. This includes evidence of one of the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree with honours class IIA or better from approved universities, which should include a relevant research component.
2. A research master’s degree.
3. A coursework master’s degree and an overall GPA (grade point average) equivalent to 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale, which should include a relevant research component.
4. A postgraduate degree of at least one-year full-time equivalent with an overall GPA (grade point average) equivalent to 5.0 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours IIA maybe considered for PhD entry.

1. self-motivated and ready to put enthusiasm in the project,

2. an experienced programmer in one of the following languages: MATLAB/C/Python, and

3. a good team player.

Scholarships and Remuneration

If you are our successful applicant, we will invite you to apply for PhD admission. As part of the application process you can request to be nominated for UQ Scholarhsip support in the Graduate School’s competitive scholarship round (if required). The award of a PhD scholarship is not guaranteed. The applicants need to demonstrate an evidence of publication. Prospective students will be provided with assistance to apply for a competitive UQ scholarship, or a domestic equivalent scholarship, for stipend and tuition support https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/scholarships. Award of a scholarship will be conditional upon the applicant applying for and obtaining an unconditional offer for entry to the PhD program at UQ and being assessed in the next available UQ scholarship round. The duration of the candidacy is 3 years with 2 possible extensions each for up to 6 months (PPL 4.80.01 UQ Research Scholarships).

If you want to join our research team in this role,  please apply outlining your motivation, along with your CV with contact details of two referees. for Enquires please contact Dr Steve Mehrkanoon s.mehrkanoon@uq.edu.au And Prof Paul Colditz p.colditz@uq.edu.au