Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system, marked by relapses and irreversible disability accumulation. People with MS (PwMS) experience a spectrum of frailty symptoms, including fatigue, walking difficulties, pain, cognitive impairments, depressive symptoms, and gait issues. Frailty significantly impacts daily activities and increases the risk of physical impairment, delayed relapse recovery, complications, hospitalizations, and mortality, ultimately reducing quality of life. Although often associated with aging, frailty can appear in MS patients at a much younger age, with some symptoms being apparent while others are hidden, leading to rapid health decline.
Why This Project?
Cutting-Edge Research: Dive into a groundbreaking project that addresses critical gaps in our understanding of frailty in MS.
Skill Development: Gain expertise in quantitative research methods, and hands-on experience in developing and validating statistical models for predicting longitudinal outcomes.
Broad Applicability: Learn techniques applicable in various clinical research contexts, enhancing your versatility as a researcher.
Impactful Work: Contribute to improving patient care by creating predictive models that can be translated into practical tools for clinical settings.
Project Goals:
Identify Frailty Manifestations: Investigate how frailties present in PwMS.
Examine Associations: Analyze the relationship between frailty and disease outcomes.
Develop Predictive Models: Create multi-state frailty models to predict disease severity and health outcomes.
Translate to Clinical Practice: Adapt the developed models for practical use in clinical settings.
Join Us:
Be a part of this transformative project to enhance our understanding of frailty in MS and improve patient care through innovative predictive models. This PhD opportunity is your chance to make a significant impact in the field of MS research while developing invaluable skills and knowledge. Apply now to contribute to this vital area of study and advance your career in clinical research!
Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- A master's degree in statistics, applied statistical modelling, Epidemiology, computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Strong background in statistics and biostatistics, or epidemiology with advanced programming skills preferable in R programming language
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Valery Fuh Ngwa to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 June 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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