Orygen PhD Scholarship Research Opportunity

The project

This PhD project is supported by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Optimising Early Interventions for Young People with Emerging Mood Disorders (Optymise). The Optymise collaboration brings together key researchers in the area of youth mental health to generate new knowledge that leads to improved health outcomes in youth mental health;

The PhD student will work with large-scale datasets from the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) consortium and local datasets acquired at the Optymise collaborating institutes (Orygen, Brain and Mind Centre to establish the neurobiological correlates underlying variation in disease profile and disease course of mood disorders in young people. ENIGMA MDD is a collaboration between 31 research institutes from around the world that share neuroimaging data.

Eligibility

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic student with a strong interest in psychopathology who has the following background and experience:

  • Completed tertiary studies that are at least equivalent to a 4-year honours degree at an Australian university with a minimum result of first class honours in the field of psychology, computer science, (medical) informatics or technology, biomedical engineering, or related discipline;
  • Some experience with neuroimage analysis and/or with computational statistics, machine learning, and/or pattern classification is desirable;
  • Strong statistical skills and good computer programming skills (LINUX, scripting, and Matlab) are desirable;
  • Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal;
  • Experience in writing (international) publication(s) is a plus but not required.

Benefits

The base stipend will be equivalent to APA rate, which is currently AUD$ 26,916 per annum (2017 rate, indexed annually) tax-free for three years (with the possibility to extend for further six months), subject to satisfactory progress.

Selection

Eligible candidates are selected on the basis of academic merit, strength of supporting documentation and the terms of the CRE Optymise scholarship. Interviews will take place with a selection of applicants for final selection.

Application Process

To apply, please send an electronic copy of the following:

  1. Your Curriculum Vitae listing any degrees, awards, prior publications, and work experience,
  2. An academic transcript of your grades
  3. A letter explaining your interest in the position; and
  4. A sample of your written work (academic writing

Applications should be send via email to research@orygen.org.au with the title: Optymise Orygen PhD.

For more information about the position you can contact Dr. Lianne Schmaal, via telephone number: +61477550490 or email: lianne.schmaal@orygen.org.au

Applications close: March 19th 2017