Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Immunisation and Surveillance in Southeast Asia

This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a PhD student who is undertaking research in immunisation, vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and outbreak response with a focus on measles in Lao PDR and Southeast Asia. The scholarship is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. The research project focuses on establishing a platform for collaborative surveillance in Southeast Asia to enhance measles control, in line with the World Health Organization's goal to eliminate measles in the Western Pacific region by 2030. The project will evaluate existing measles surveillance systems in Lao PDR and The Philippines, assess the use of DIATROPIX measles rapid diagnostic tests for real-time case confirmation, and design an Evidence to Decision framework for public health response. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, clinicians, economists and infectious disease experts from Australia, Lao PDR and The Philippines. The role requires willingness to travel and spend time in Lao PDR and Southeast Asia for project meetings and data collection. The scholarship provides a stipend allowance of $41,753 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.