First Nations Infectious Disease Point of Care Testing

Help to understand the impact of infectious disease molecular point of care testing in regional and remote First Nations communities.

Description
Infectious diseases remain unacceptably high for First Nations people living in remote areas, resulting from a history of colonisation and systemic racism. Diagnostic testing with timely access to results is critical for effective management and prevention of key infectious diseases but is often delayed in many rural and remote areas. Over the past decade, molecular point of care (POC) diagnostic tests required for diagnosis of key infectious diseases has been implemented within primary care services operating across regional and remote First Nations communities. The successful PhD scholar will help understand the impact of respiratory infectious disease POC testing within regional and remote First Nations communities. This PhD is linked with a larger program of research through the Medical Research Futures Fund funded Rapid Applied Research Translation into the scale up of infectious disease POC testing in First Nations communities. 

Scholarship

• $52,352 per annum (2025 rate) tax free, 3.5 years
• If successful for a UNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship, then a top up scholarship of $30,000 per annum may be available (scholarship total is $82,352 per year)
• Research costs covered up to $5,000 per year (includes conference attendance, field work, publication costs)
• Support and mentorship through Yandamanjang First Nations Research program at the Kirby Institute Yandamanjang First Nations Health Research Program | Kirby Institute
• Network of support through Nura Gili: Centre for Indigenous Programs UNSW

Eligibility

• Domestic PhD applicants only. 
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only

How to Apply

Interested Candidates should email the following with subject "POC Scholarship" to Dr Belinda Hengel at bhengel@kirby.unsw.edu.au by 30 June 2025.

1. copy of your CV
2. academic transcripts
3. two referees
4. a brief cover letter
5. 300-word (max) research description, outlining your proposed research topic and its significance.

The eligible candidate will need to apply for both admission and a central scholarship through UNSW by the central scholarship deadline. People who face barriers to higher degree research are encouraged to apply.