The Research Opportunity
The purpose of this opportunity is to innovate current management interventions to reduce foot ulcerations in people with diabetes. Every 20 seconds, someone in the world loses a foot or leg because of diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers are the precursor lesion in 85% of these amputations. We plan to combine personalised biophysical modelling, smart textile technologies and advanced manufacturing techniques to optimise and 3D print interventions to reduce the risk of foot ulcers in people with debates

PhD candidate profile
A successful candidate is expected to hold a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours or second-class honours (Division A) or a master’s degree. These degrees should incorporate a significant research component in either human movement science or kinesiology, podiatry, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, or related degrees. Essential skills include competency with plantar pressures and basic knowledge of signal processing. Desirable skills include a foundation in MATLAB, and experience with processing medical imaging (i.e., MRI).

PhD scholarship
If successful in securing either an Australian or Griffith-funded scholarship, the award will provide living allowances and tuition fees for international students for 3-3.5 years. Similarly, there are scholarships and awards available to domestic students. Please note we are willing to consider applications from individuals who have secured research funding from sources other than the Australian government or Griffith University. However, the funding may not be sufficient to support a full 3-4 year PhD project, and as such externally funded PhDs will be scrutinized closely.

More information regarding scholarships funded by Griffith University (see GUIPRS and GUPRS): https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-graduate-research-school/research-scholarships.

Research setting and facilities
Situated on the beautiful Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University, our exceptional research
facilities include:
  • A state-of-the-art motion capture laboratory, which include the following equipment: 12-Camera Vicon MX systems, 4 AMTI force plates, 1 Bertec split belt instrumented treadmill, 16-channel Zero Wire EMG system, 16-channel wireless Noraxon EMG system, 16-channel wireless Noraxon IMU system, 1 Noraxon capacitive treadmill, and Medilogic pressure insoles.
  • Imaging laboratories (pQCT, DEXA, 3D and acoustoelastography ultrasound systems).
  • Motion capture and medical image processing software (Matlab, Mimics, OpenSim,
  • Vicon Nexus, Noraxon MR3, CMISS).
  • High-performance computer clusters.
We are a large research group, including senior professorial staff, post-doctoral research fellows, and PhD students. Our approach is to work collaboratively, but with a keen focus on research excellence.
The Gold Coast Orthopaedic Research and Education Alliance (GCORE), formally known as the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, is situated within the Menzies Health Institute
Queensland at Griffith University. The main research areas of GCORE are neuromusculoskeletal engineering and orthopaedics, with focus on the development and use of disruptive technologies to enable personalised management of chronic and acute health conditions. We are looking for qualified and motivated individuals for PhD scholarship positions.

Disclaimer
Please note that the University reserves the right to appoint by invitation and to leave
positions vacant.

How to apply
If you are interested, please first send via email, to Dr Jayishni Maharaj (j.maharaj@griffith.edu.au) or Professor Jim Woodburn (j.woodburn@griffith.edu.au)
1) A brief (1-page maximum) covering letter, describing your background, interests, and why you would be a good candidate for the listed research project.
2) Your CV.
3) Academic transcripts (do not need to notarized versions).
4) Evidence of English language competency (e.g., IELTS, overall >=7, no band <6).

Applicants will be thoroughly evaluated for merit and suitability. Successful applicants will be notified promptly, after which they will be required to apply directly to Griffith University.

Prospective candidates are strongly advised to review the Griffith University application
process at https://www.griffith.edu.au/research-study#apply. Particular attention should be
paid to the documentation required and the standards for excellence. International students
are advised to review the requirements for Australian Visa applications.
Attached Files