PhD Scholarships

ACU Scholarship in Exercise Science

Scholarship Description: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative condition that exposes patients to a significantly greater risk of falls than healthy people of a similar age. During functional tasks, such as lifting and stair ascent/descent, the body’s mass moves closer to the limits of one’s base of support (i.e. the feet), causing an individual to overbalance or fall. Healthy individuals accommodate for this, by redistributing their body mass through coordinated postural adjustments, but it remains unclear whether differences in postural control are associated with falls in people with PD. This research employs two non-invasive techniques to assess the muscle activation patterns (surface electromyography) and three-dimensional movement characteristics (3D motion analysis) of people with PD while performing tasks reminiscent of everyday activities.

Reference Number: 5714

Study Subject: The influence of the trunk in preventing falls during functional tasks in Parkinson's disease. Web Address: http://www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/research/future_students/scholarships/
Provided By: Australian Catholic University. Level: Post Graduate. AvailabilityThis scholarship is offered once only to one person. Open for applications from November 3, 2011 until December 16, 2011. Payment Information: The value of this scholarship is AUD25000 (per annum). This award is to be used for living expenses. This scholarship is paid fortnightly for the period of 3 years.

Research Information: This scholarship is for any field of research.

Eligibility: This scholarship requires you to have achieved Honours 1 or equivalent, or Masters or equivalent. Only citizens of Australia may apply. Application Details: To apply for this scholarship you must apply directly to the university. Terms and conditions are subject to change. Always confirm details with scholarship provider before applying.

Application forms: Chiara Condotta, Australian Catholic University. Email: VIC.Cand@acu.edu.au. Address: Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia, 3065
Application forms: Dr Michael Cole, Australian Catholic University. Phone: 07 3623 7674, Email: michael.cole@acu.edu.au

PhD Scholarship, Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle.

The Schizophrenia Program of the Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (CBMHR) at the University of Newcastle has a unique multidisciplinary approach to understanding schizophrenia with leading edge researchers working at the interface of clinical, cognitive, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical disciplines.  The School of Psychology within CBMHR is seeking highly motivated, high quality graduates to undertake PhD studies on a maternal infection model of schizophrenia in the rat based on a successful National Health and Medical Research Council grant entitled “The effects of maternal infection on glutamate-related behavioural, electrophysiological and neuropathological measures relevant to schizophrenia”.  Successful applicants should possess a 1st class honours degree or equivalent in either Psychology, Neuroscience or Biomedical Sciences, coupled with a desire to pursue a career in research. Individuals with some experience of behavioural or electrophysiological methods in the rat are particularly encouraged to apply.

Students are required to apply for a living allowance scholarship from the University of Newcastle. Successful applicants will then have their scholarships ‘topped up’ to $25,000 per annum tax free. This is a full-time scholarship for three years with the possibility of a six month extension in approved circumstances. Applications from domestic and international students are accepted throughout the year.

The University of Newcastle has a vibrant research culture and has enjoyed strong and increasing success in research performance. We hold a unique place in the higher education sector as the most research-intensive university outside of an Australian capital city. Ranked in the top 10 universities in Australia for research, a proven track record of innovation continues to drive our reputation as a place of research excellence and groundbreaking discovery. Our campus at Newcastle is set in a bushland setting and is close to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. The cost of living in Newcastle is considerably less than capital cities elsewhere in Australia.

Please direct enquiries to Emeritus Professor Pat Michie at pat.michie@newcastle.edu.au or Associate Professor Deb Hodgson at deborah.hodgson@newcastle.edu.au.

 

PhD Scholarship, Dept Physiology, Monash University

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in the lab of Assoc Prof Ramesh Rajan in the Dept of Physiology on an NHMRC funded project under the supervision of Assoc Prof Rajan and Prof Marcello Rosa.

The project is directed to understanding the role of higher order auditory pathways in primates using electrophysiological and anatomical techniques to study neurons. You will be housed within a large and dynamic sensory and cognitive research team undertaking electrophysiological, anatomical and psychophysical studies in the auditory, visual and somatosensory systems.  For this specific project we will train you in making neuronal recordings in anaesthetized animals and to gain anatomical and histological skills to trace pathways labelled by tracer injections.

You will be required to have an understanding of neuronal responses and to have demonstrated strong analytical skills. Good computing skills will be an additional asset but not mandatory and you will be provided training in gaining skills in the use of MatLab, as required.

The scholarship is for 3 years, at a stipend equivalent to Australian Postgraduate Award rates. Applicants should have an engineering (electrical or biomedical) degree, a science degree or a biomedical science degree, with first class honours (or H1 equivalent). Selection will be on merit and will be at the discretion of the Chief Investigators  (Assoc Prof Rajan and Prof Marcello Rosa).

Please direct all enquires to Ramesh Rajan, Ramesh.Rajan @monash.edu or Marcello Rosa Marcello.Rosa@monash.edu

 

PhD studentship - traumatic brain injury and the sensory cortex, Monash University

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in the lab of Assoc Prof Ramesh Rajan in the Dept of Physiology on an NHMRC funded project.

We are seeking a PhD student to undertake electrophysiological and anatomical experiments directed to understanding the sensory cortical effects of traumatic brain injury and how to ameliorate the consequences of the brain injury. Experiments will be conducted under the supervision of Assoc Prof Ramesh Rajan in the Dept of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, where you will be part of a large and dynamic sensory and cognitive research team undertaking electrophysiological, anatomical and psychophysical studies in the auditory, visual and somatosensory systems.

For this specific project we will train you in making neuronal recordings in anaesthetized animals and to gain anatomical and histological skills to trace pathways labelled by tracer injections.

You will be required to have demonstrated strong analytical skills and to have some understanding of neuronal responses. Good computing skills will be required and you will be provided training in gaining skills in the use of MatLab, as required.

The scholarship is for 3 years, at a stipend equivalent to Australian Postgraduate Award rates. Applicants should have an engineering (electrical or biomedical) degree, a science degree or a biomedical science degree, with first class honours (or H1 equivalent). Selection will be on merit and will be at the discretion of the Chief Investigator (Assoc Prof Rajan). For continued support for the 3 year duration of the study, students will be expected to apply for APA or Monash Postgraduate scholarships either prior to commencement or through their tenure

Please direct all enquires to Ramesh Rajan, Ramesh.Rajan @monash.edu

 

---