Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist Researcher PhD Scholarship

About

Thanks to the generous support of the Hecht Trust, the Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne has established a new opportunity for infectious diseases clinicians in training. This is a new scheme for integration of research training with ongoing clinical practice, commencing in 2024. The role, for up to two appointees per year for 3.5 years will combine higher degree training in the broader discipline of infectious diseases within the Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, with clinical practice in infectious diseases at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, or at Austin Health.

Applications are encouraged from advanced trainees in infectious diseases or other relevant allied health professions who are keen to pursue early steps towards a career in clinical academic practice. Applicants should have completed or be near completion of their relevant vocational training program approved by the relevant Specialist College or equivalent. In addition to the PhD stipend that the appointee will be expected to gain (NHMRC, or equivalent training award), an annual stipend of $34,000 will be paid for the duration of full time PhD candidature. During the scholarship’s 3.5 year period of training as a full-time PhD student in the Department of Infectious Diseases, trainees will be supported to undertake up to 8 hours per week of clinical practice; this may also be recognized for fulfilling completion of vocational training requirements on a case-by-case basis. This structured pathway will offer mentorship and support tailored to the needs of early career clinician researchers in infectious diseases.

Applicants will be expected to have negotiated a research project with a higher degree supervisor within the University Department before submitting their application.

Benefits

This scholarship provides a fortnightly stipend with a rate of $40,000 per year (full-time pro rata rate) for up to 3 years.

The Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist PhD Scholarship will commence from the student’s enrolment date.

Eligibility

To be considered for this award, students must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Registerable to practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
• Recognized as a specialist, or specialist-in-training in infectious diseases
  (eg FRACP in Infectious diseases), OR relevant allied health profession (eg pharmacy)
• Have applied for admission as a PhD candidate at the Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne.
• Have submitted an Expression of Interest of 1000 words or less using the pro-forma application form that highlights their research plan.

Selection

The selection panel will be comprised of representatives of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Royal Melbourne and Austin Hospitals.

Applications will be ranked by the Selection Committee taking into account:

1. Academic merit, referee reports and research proposal score.
2. When determining the recipient of these scholarships the support already received, in the form of other student awards, by all eligible applicants will be taken into account.

Application

Application for the Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist PhD Scholarship must be made on the application form (.doc).

Submit applications as a PDF attachment to: doherty-phdprogram@unimelb.edu.au

Please include 'Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist PhD Scholarship' in the subject line of the email.

Outcome

All applicants will be advised the outcome of their application for the Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist PhD Scholarships by email within 6 weeks of the closing date.

Conditions

In accepting this scholarship, please note the following:

• Recipients will be required to provide a brief written report to the donors at the conclusion of their scholarship that demonstrates the impact and benefit to both their research and their career which resulted from being awarded the Scholarship.
• Recipients will be expected to acknowledge the support of the Hecht Trust in oral and written presentation of their research work, particularly at their submission seminar and in their thesis.

Enquiries

For enquiries contact: Professor James McCarthy (james.mccarthy@unimelb.edu.au) or Professor Jason Trubiano (jason.trubiano@austin.org.au)

Please include 'Hecht Trust Clinician-Scientist PhD Scholarship' in the subject line of the email.