Flinders PhD Enterprise Scholarship: Healthy Ageing and Primary Care

Change lives and change the world with impactful PhD research co-funded by Flinders and the Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN).

• Receive a $43,000 (2023 full-time rate) per annum scholarship tax free, for up to 3.5 years
• Apply your research skills during an internship with the Adelaide Primary Health Network

Flinders University and the Adelaide PHN are offering a PhD Enterprise Scholarship to undertake innovative research into the Care Finder Program: needs assessment and integration of services in aged care. The Caring Futures Institute and the Adelaide PHN are collaborating on this research project to support the needs assessment at the local level of vulnerable older people in the Adelaide PHN.

Bringing significant industry experience to the project, the Adelaide PHN is a well- respected and dynamic organisation focused on improving both health outcomes, and the experience of primary health care within the Adelaide metropolitan region. Working closely with the wider Adelaide community and benefitting from the experience and knowledge of primary health care providers, it’s the job of Adelaide PHN to ensure the health system better meets people’s needs.

Flinders Caring Futures Institute is also committed to improving older peoples’ health outcomes and experiences of accessing and receiving care and has complimentary research strengths in approaches to systematically understanding the needs of  vulnerable older people in the community.  Together we are seeking innovative solutions to this challenging area of research through this PhD project. 

This inspiring project involves:

• Implementation science and best practice to support integration of services in aged care.
• Supporting the needs assessment at the local level of vulnerable older people in the Adelaide PHN, to maximise the outcomes of the commissioning of the care finder program, which aims to support the integration between the health, aged care systems.

The PhD Enterprise Scholarship also includes an internship of at least 60 full-time equivalent days, agreed to in written form within 18 months of candidature, undertaken and completed prior to completion of the PhD, during which you will be embedded with the industry partner team, developing your network, and gaining insight into the everyday research practices of an industry-leading/service driven organisation.

This PhD Enterprise Scholarship offers:

• $43,000 (2023 full-time rate) per annum tax free, for up to 3.5 years
• Access to academic and industry expertise through joint supervision
• A supportive environment to learn leading-edge research methods and become an expert in your area
• The opportunity to manage a complex research project and respond innovatively to challenges
• A collaborative research community where you can enhance your skills and build your network to progress your research career. 

To be eligible for a PhD Enterprise Scholarship you will need:

• to be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have, or are eligible to apply for, a relevant international visa; and
• meet Flinders University PhD admission requirements – an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), or evidence of equivalent research experience, such as refereed publications or significant experience as a lead researcher; and
• Scholarship recipients are expected to take up their studies as soon as practicable within a timeframe specified by the Office of Graduate Research in consultation with the industry partner, up to maximum of 3 months from the time of acceptance of the scholarship.  In exceptional circumstances and with approval of the industry partner and the University, this time may be extended to 6 months.
• Any other eligibility criteria relevant to the industry partner/research project (eg have or able to apply for a National Police Criminal History Check)

It is desirable for applicants to also have:

• A high level of verbal communication and organisational skills
• A health background