Tharawal Holistic Indigenist Metabolic Program

This PhD scholarship is based in a specialist metabolic program exclusively for adults of Aboriginal background provided within Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in Campbelltown, NSW. This is a unique program where a specialist multidisciplinary team provides care for people with severe obesity within an AMS rather than a hospital outpatient setting. The scholarship provides candidates the opportunity to be involved in Yarning groups and qualitative interviews with clients and health care professional staff associated with the program, with the aim of making a more culturally safe program away from a hospital setting. Candidates may also be involved in quantitative data collection, analysis and interpretation, and will be supported by Aboriginal health workers, a project manager and clinic staff. The scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of $50,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living costs and support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by the School/Institute. The Lead Researcher and supervisor is Assoc. Prof. Milan Piya as well as Assoc. Prof. Kate McBride and Prof. Aunty Kerrie Doyle. To be eligible, applicants must hold qualifications equivalent to an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, coursework Masters with at least a 25% research component, or a Master of Research degree. They must demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to health, multidisciplinary working and socioeconomic drivers of health, have an understanding or appreciation of the importance of Aboriginal knowledges and practices in relation to complex health needs, be willing to learn techniques applicable to quantitative and qualitative research, and be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.