PhD opportunity in General Practice

Exciting research opportunities exist with a newly-funded NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence: The National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS). The NCAS will take a “One Health” approach to examining antimicrobial use in animal and human health.

The Centre is based in the new Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria and will partner with members of the Institute including the Melbourne Health Antimicrobial Research Group, Guidance, VICNISS and MDU; the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne; Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University; Department of General Practice, Monash University; and the NSW Centre for Clinical Excellence.

As part of the research program examining antibiotic prescribing in the community and in general practice, a PhD scholarship is being offered at the Department of General Practice, Monash University for a candidate to complete a PhD examining antibiotic prescribing practices within the general practice setting. The doctoral program will utilise a mixed methods approach that will include quantitative analysis of general practice data and qualitative interviews with GPs, with the aim of examining the patterns of antibiotic use and adherence to guidelines in general practice and improving our understanding of the factors that influence antibiotic prescribing in this setting. The scholarship is on a full-time basis for three years.

All interested applicants will be required to submit a CV with 2 – 3 referees and transcripts of academic records. 

For more information, please visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/general-practice/teaching/phd-opportunity.html 

Contact: Professor Danielle Mazza 

Email: danielle.mazza@monash.edu 

Phone: 03 99024496

The closing date for applications is Friday, 18 September 2015

PhD opportunity to evaluate screening and management of perinatal mental health in women of refugee background

We are seeking talented candidates who wish to apply for a PhD that is funded to $30,000 per annum over 3 years by Cabrini Health for full time candidature. You should ideally have a background in health broadly with an interest in refugee women’s health, mental health, health service delivery and models of care, reproductive health and provision of culturally appropriate care. Your research will be part of a large collaborative project between Monash University and Monash Health. You will work closely with team members from multiple departments of these organisations and with the Cabrini Institute.

The perinatal period is a stressful time for new parents and women are at increased risk of developing or having a recurrence of mental health illness during this time. Mental illness affects up to 20% of women in this period and affects women themselves, their partners and families with potential long term impacts on children. Women of refugee background are likely to have an even greater risk due to pre- and post-migration stressors. National guidelines recommend screening for perinatal mental health in women in pregnancy, but this needs to occur in a culturally appropriate manner to have a holistic approach, and to have clear referral and management pathways. Monash Health is one of the largest maternity service providers in Australia, and services a large refugee community. There is no screening undertaken for mental health at present .Formative work is currently being undertaken with stakeholders to ascertain the most appropriate way to implement screening for perinatal mental health, referral and management for women at risk in the refugee maternity clinic at Monash Health Dandenong. The PhD will focus on the implementation and evaluation of the program.

Information on the Monash University PhD program is available at http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/

University fees

Australian citizens and permanent residents will be exempt from tuition fees. International students will be required to provide evidence of how they will manage their university fee requirements for the duration of their candidature.

Qualifications and financial Support

Students with an Honours or Masters degree with H1 equivalence are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Email your CV, a cover letter and a copy of your academic transcripts to kim.huynh@monash.edu before November 1st 2015.

Nepal Earthquake reconstruction effort update: please contribute

BBC reporting on the reconstruction work of Abari, the NGO
for which Monash PhD student, Sewa Rijal, is raising funds.

Together, we have raised the total of the appeal to AUD $3,394 that will go a long way in helping the fighting endurance of people in Nepal post the earthquakes. This makes me realize the power that we have within each of us to make a difference by coming together in this time of great need. Thank you very much for your kindness and compassion!

Continue reading Sewa's story or donate here.