PhD Scholarship - Novel methods to enhance the use of routinely collected linked data for the evaluation of government policies related to healthy ageing
Job No.: 691415
Location: Frankston (Peninsula University Hospital)
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
Employment Type: Full-time
Remuneration: Tax-free stipend of $37,145 pa
About the Role
We are seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD scholarship within an NHMRC-funded Project entitled ‘Novel methods to enhance the use of routinely collected linked data for the evaluation of government policies related to healthy ageing’ led by Monash University, Melbourne.
This PhD project is embedded within the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, a partnership between Monash University and Bayside Health, based at the state‑of‑the‑art Peninsula University Hospital in Frankston, Victoria. You will join a vibrant, collaborative research community focused on transforming care for older Australians.
Australia’s ageing population is growing rapidly, and understanding who is most at risk of transitioning into permanent residential aged care (PRAC) has never been more important. This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to work with two of Australia’s largest linked-data cohorts, the National Centre for Healthy Ageing Data Platform and the 45 and Up Study, to develop analytical tools that can identify older adults at elevated risk of PRAC entry.
A central focus of this project is equity. You will investigate whether existing and newly developed prediction models perform consistently across diverse social groups, including people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural and linguistic communities, and geographic regions. This work will directly inform policy and practice, helping ensure that risk prediction tools do not inadvertently reinforce health inequities.
The successful candidate will be guided by an expert supervisory team, including Dr Taya Collyer, an experienced biostatistician, and Professor Nadine Andrew, an internationally recognised epidemiologist and project lead. Their complementary expertise ensures high‑quality mentorship across methodological, clinical, and translational dimensions of the research.
Benefits
- A PhD stipend valued at $37,145 per annum (2026 rate) tax free
- The scholarship will be awarded for 3.5 years
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must meet PhD admission requirements including:
- Be able to demonstrate present and current Australian work rights
- Have an undergraduate or post graduate qualification in Epidemiology, Computer Science, or Biostatistics, or have a public health, clinical or other relevant qualification with experience in analysing large datasets
- a Bachelor’s degree of at least four years in a relevant discipline, which includes a research thesis or project, with a minimum overall average grade of an honours degree equivalent to the Second Class Honours Division A Be available to commence as a full-time PhD student in the first half of 2026.
- Having at least one first author publication in a Q1 journal (SJR rankings) will be highly regarded
Application information
Prior to submitting an application for the scholarship, prospective applicants are advised to contact the Primary supervisor Dr Taya Collyer via email (taya.collyer@monash.edu) or the project lead Professor Nadine Andrew (nadine.andrew@monash.edu) to discuss your interest and eligibility in the opportunity. We may then invite you to apply and request a copy of your CV together with a covering letter outlining your relevant qualifications, experience, research experience and reasons for applying for the scholarship.
Expressions of interest are to be submitted via email at: taya.collyer@monash.edu
Supporting a diverse workforce
