About the position
As Australia's first private University, Bond University based at Robina, Gold Coast seeks to be recognised internationally as a leading independent university, imbued with a spirit to innovate, a commitment to influence and a dedication to inspire tomorrow's professionals who share a personalised and transformational student experience.
The Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare and the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine is calling for expressions of interest from health graduates wishing to complete a PhD.
Project Description
This PhD opportunity is part of a research project funded by an MRFF 2025 Cardiovascular Health Mission, which aims to evaluate a strategy to integrate influenza vaccination early into hospital-based care following acute myocardial infarction.
Influenza vaccination is an evidence-based preventive health intervention that reduces the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease, in particular following acute myocardial infarction. In this setting, early (during the index admission) influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce all-cause and cardiovascular mortality with a magnitude of benefit that is greater than almost any other medical therapy. Furthermore, these benefits occur almost entirely within 3 months of the index event. Despite this, standard practice in Australia (and elsewhere) is delivery of influenza vaccination in the community where uptake is suboptimal, even in high-risk groups, and administration is delayed.
The future candidate will be joining a world-class team of national researchers and clinicians in cardiovascular prevention and under the supervision of Professor Julie Redfern and Dr Alexandra Davidson at Bond University.
This national program of work will directly lead to better clinical practice, patient experience, and health outcomes for people who are admitted to hospital for myocardial infarction. This project will help inform national and global secondary cardiovascular prevention strategies and guidelines.
The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in implementation science and program evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods. The candidate will be supported by experts in cardiovascular disease, clinical trials, and implementation science research.
This PhD project may involve:
- Evaluation of an in-hospital influenza vaccination program
- Evaluation of the feasibility, adoption and sustainability implementation outcomes of the program
- Use of mixed-methods, quantitative and qualitative data collection to assess patient and clinician satisfaction and perspectives.
- Contribution to trial methodology and embedded implementation science frameworks
The project is expected to generate peer-reviewed publications and policy-relevant outputs.
About the person
Applicants should have one of the following: Masters by Research degree/Masters degree with a substantial research component or an Honours degree - Class 1 or Class 2 Division A or other research experience deemed equivalent to one of the above, i.e. applicant has worked as a research assistant or has a publication record or professional experience and can demonstrate the appropriate level of expertise in research methodology and relevant research skills.
More information: PhD Entry Requirements
Essential:
- Bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline (clinical training preferred: medicine, nursing, pharmacy, allied health)
- Demonstrated research capability (e.g., Honours or Master’s thesis, research assistant role)
- Strong analytical and academic writing skills with evidence of authorship on scientific manuscripts
- Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team
- Experience managing projects with defined timelines and deliverables
- Understanding of the Australian healthcare system
- Ability to engage professionally with clinicians and patients
Desirable:
- Demonstrated interest in the research area
- Experience working in hospital as a clinician or in administration
- Experience undertaking a substantial research project
- Experience with implementation science and/or health services research
- Presentation of research at a conference or scientific meeting Capacity to seek external funding with support from supervisors
What the candidate will gain:
- Training in quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Experience in implementation science
- Direct involvement in a nationally funded MRFF program
Exposure to stakeholder engagement across clinicians, patients, and policymakers
Salary details
Candidates will receive high quality, personalised supervision and access to the full range of facilities available to Bond University students, successful applicants will be entitled to the following benefits:
Tuition fee waiver: The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) scheme provides tuition fee waivers for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents enrolled in higher degree programs such as a PhD. The tuition waiver lasts the duration of the program.
Stipend: This is a National Health and Medical Research Council funded project with a living stipend allocated for the successful PhD applicant for up to three (3) years.
Employment opportunities: The successful applicant may also be provided with employment opportunities such as tutoring or research assistant work within the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare and/or Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine dependent upon prior experience. Employment will be subject to the conditions of the PhD program and the terms of any scholarship awarded.
Additional information
For all enquiries related to this position, please contact Tanya Forbes: [email protected]
Application and submission details
Please submit your expression of interest via the Bond University application portal.
Your EOI must include:
- The title of the position you are applying for.
- A written statement (maximum of 2 pages) describing your interest in the research project and proposed research topic. A written statement (maximum of 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria set out above.
- A current curriculum vitae including the names of two academic referees. Your academic transcripts.
- An example of your written academic work (e.g. Honours thesis, peer-reviewed journal article, or academic research projects)