La Trobe University - Bayreuth University Joint PhD Program Scholarship

Amount

$33500
Per annum, for three and a half years. Fee relief additional.

Opening date

Closing date

Status

Closed

Who is it for?

Future PhD candidates, Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident

Where is it available?

Melbourne Campus, Bendigo Campus

How is it paid?

Fortnightly stipend

Background

La Trobe University is offering a graduate research scholarship for a student to undertake a joint PhD with Bayreuth University, Germany.

Applications for this scholarship are now open to Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents. The application deadline is 31 October 2022.

Students undertaking the joint PhD program will be enrolled in a PhD at both institutions. Your supervisory team will comprise of academic staff from both institutions who will provide support and guidance throughout your research. As a student enrolled at both La Trobe and Bayreuth, you will have access to services and support provided by both institutions, including a range of professional and personal development programs.

You will begin your studies at La Trobe University where you will spend the majority of your time, but with an expectation that you will spend typically 12 months at Bayreuth University. Travel to and study at the host institution will be subject to the usual immigration requirements.

The joint PhD includes a tailored program of progress monitoring to fulfil the requirements of both institutions. All candidates will write and submit a thesis for defence by oral examination. On successful completion of the program requirements, you will be awarded a PhD jointly by both institutions.

The successful applicant can commence at any time from 01 February 2023 to 01 July 2023, at a La Trobe University campus, and willing to spend typically 12 months based in Bayreuth, Germany.


Available projects

There are two joint PhD scholarships available to applicants, competitively awarded and selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the selected project. Please contact the lead supervisor listed for more information.

Project: Addressing the footwear needs of female recreational runners through the use of immersive technology: Implications of biomechanically-driven design on injury prevention, health, and wellbeing

Lead Supervisor: Rodrigo Bini

This project involves three elements: The first to use wearable tracking devices and immersive technology - virtual (VR) and augmented (AR) reality - to visualise runners’ biomechanics in real time, enabling both researchers and the runners themselves to identify potential problems that might ultimately result in injury. Second, to employ these immersive visualisation techniques to better understand the biomechanics of female runners and to develop shoes that better meet their specific needs. Finally, to study the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of using these shoes on female runners’ injury risk, health, and wellbeing.

Project: DiS-Rare – Digital Health Solutions for Informational Support for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases

Lead supervisor: James Boyd

This joint international collaborative project aims to transfer knowledge between Australia and Germany, building on Australia long history of technology-enabled care, e.g. remote care for rural areas such as telehealth and telemonitoring. Furthermore, the project aims to link research insights on health and care services for rare diseases in Germany with the corresponding Australian expertise to strengthen research capabilities and collaborations, and to explore, improve and evaluate digital based support services for people with rare diseases.

As an evidence-based foundation, the project will conduct an exploratory qualitative study on digital health solutions supporting health care delivery for rare diseases (esp. neuromuscular diseases). The partner institutions are eager to develop the collaboration by sharing and combining their considerable expertise in the fields of rare diseases and digital innovations to improve health and care services.


Benefits of the scholarship

  • a stipend for up to three and a half (3.5) years, with a value of $33,500 per annum (2023 rate)
  • a  Research Training Program - Fees Offset scholarship covering tuition fees for up to four (4) years.
  • a travel allowance to assist with travel between Melbourne and Bayreuth and personal expenses while resident in Germany
  • an allowance to relocate to Melbourne to commence the degree and publication/thesis allowance or RTP allowance
  • opportunities to work with outstanding researchers at La Trobe and Bayreuth universities, and have access to our suite of professional development programs.


Are you eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

  • meet the Doctor of Philosophy entry requirements.
  • not be receiving another scholarship greater than 75 per cent of the stipend rate for the same purpose.
  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident.

In selecting successful applicants, we prioritise applications from candidates who:

  • will be enrolled full-time.
  • have completed a Masters by Research or other significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above.

How to apply

Applicants should refer to the following steps to apply to La Trobe University. Selected applicants will then be invited to subsequently apply for admission into the PhD program at Bayreuth.

  • review the scholarship eligibility requirements above
  • review the available project listed above
  • contact the nominated lead supervisor for the project to obtain their in-principle agreement for you to apply
  • review and follow the steps in how to apply for candidature
  • complete your application for admission into La Trobe’s PhD program and include the Research Statement form
  • a research proposal is not required
  • submit your application to the La Trobe Graduate Research School (admissions.grs@latrobe.edu.au) by 31 October 2022

Who to contact for further information

Project supervisor as listed above, Admissions.GRS@latrobe.edu.au to submit your application