PhD Stipends in infectious disease modelling and applied statistics

The Australian National University is seeking domestic PhD applicants with advanced skills in mathematical statistics, infectious disease modelling, or spatial modelling to contribute to an ARC Linkage funded project focused on surveillance programs and sampling schemes for assessing and maintaining the absence of pests and diseases. Two PhD projects are available: one focused on mathematical modelling of diseases at low prevalence, including designing surveillance to detect emerging pests or diseases with applications to Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Lymphatic Filariasis and African Swine Fever; and another on spatial modelling of spread of pathogens and pests, including the role of climate variability in driving incursion, with applications to viruses such as Bluetongue virus spread by biting midges. Successful candidates will work closely with ANU staff from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH), the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics (RSFAS), and collaborate with staff from the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Students will be located in NCEPH for their PhD. The scholarship provides a stipend of $34,000 per annum (2023 rate) for up to 3.5 years full-time equivalent, paid fortnightly.