Project opportunity
This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.
This project involves a multidisciplinary research team with a 40-year history of expertise in the field of Life Course Epidemiology. Life course research is based upon the premise that experiences at an early stage of the life course predict later life circumstances. For the current project, we will follow up 6,753 women who gave birth to a live singleton baby at a mean of 25 years of age over the period 1981-3. These women and their children have been followed-up on multiple occasions with the mothers 70 years of age at the next proposed follow-up. A very large body of data has already been collected. This data concerns the social, psychological and physical wellbeing and health of mothers and their children. This dataset has, to date, led to the publication of some 400 research papers, almost all in leading international journals. In the current project, there will be a follow-up of 3000 women from the original sample. We will determine how and why the lives of these women have changed over a 40-year period. A wide range of topics are available including changes in marital circumstances, in employment and economic status, in lifestyle and in physical and mental health. This is a unique dataset that provides an opportunity to extend what is already known on a range of topics. In addition, the current phase will focus on the abuse and mistreatment of the elderly and the factors over the life course that help us understand why abuse and mistreatment of elderly persons occurs. The successful candidates will gain expertise in a specific topic area as well as the statistical and epidemiological skills that will contribute to a future career.
Scholarship value
As a scholarship recipient, you'll receive:
- living stipend of $32,192 per annum tax free (2023 rate), indexed annually
- tuition fees covered
- single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Supervisor
Emeritus Professor Jake Najman
Faculty of Medicine
Email: j.najman@uq.edu.au
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history.
A working knowledge of a major statistical package (SAS, STATA, SPSS, R) as well as experience with the multivariate analysis of survey data would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of social sciences and social science research methods including the analysis of survey data and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of the health and wellbeing of older persons, particularly research assessing the mental and physical health of older persons is highly desirable.
Latest commencement date
If you are the successful candidate, you must commence by Research Quarter 2, 2024. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date.
If you are an international applicant, you may need to apply much earlier for visa requirements.
How to apply
You apply for this project as part of your PhD program application.