PhD Scholarship: Personalised biomechanics and precision technology for treatment of hip osteoarthritis

Company Description

About us
The Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE) is situated within the Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University. The main research areas of GCORE are neuromusculoskeletal biomechanics and orthopaedics, with focus on the development and use of disruptive technologies to enable personalised management of chronic health conditions, as well as assess function and performance. We are looking for qualified and motivated individuals for PhD scholarship positions.

The GCORE team is a large cross-disciplinary team comprised of engineers, clinicians, biomedical scientists, industrial designers, and exercise scientists. Our approach is to work collaboratively, but with a keen focus on research excellence.

Job Description

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease in Australia, affecting 1 in 5 people. Approximately 60% of people with hip OA undergo joint replacement within 3 years of first presenting to a healthcare professional, which highlights the ineffectiveness of current non-surgical treatments. Many people with hip OA are unsatisfied with their current management options.

This project will test the efficacy of a ‘smart’ therapeutic intervention for people with hip OA in a natural environment (i.e., home, gym, outdoors, clinic). This co-designed technology integrates cutting-edge neuromusculoskeletal models with advanced wearable technology and artificial intelligence to calculate hip loads in real-time. Outcomes will include efficacy of a personalised load-modification intervention for people with OA, characterisation of how people with hip OA load their hip in a natural environment, and identification of muscle forces that underpin hip loads during activities which drive symptom worsening and disease progression.

Qualifications

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. A successful candidate is expected to hold a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours or a master’s degree. These degrees should incorporate a significant research component in either of biomechanics, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, human movement science, kinesiology, or related degrees. Essential skills include knowledge in rigid-multibody dynamics (OpenSim) and computer programming skills (MATLAB, Python or C++).

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

Additional Information

About the scholarship
The 2024 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $33,480 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.  

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to l.diamond@griffith.edu.au containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a  copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm  Friday 30 August 2024

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:
Prof  Laura Diamond
Email: l.diamond@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Phone: (07) 3735 3817
Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au