Investigating 3D Printed Foods PhD Research Scholarship

The UTS PhD scholarship on offer is valued at AU$84,276 over three years with the School providing a generous top-up of $10,000.00 per annum, plus approximately AU$1,500 annually over the three-year candidature to support the candidate’s research activities.

Expressions of interest are now sought from applicants who are keen to investigate food texture modification and the use of 3D food printers to improve the lives of people with swallowing disorders.

UTS offers an innovative and stimulating scientific environment underpinned by the UTS Research Strategy. The UTS Research Strategy 2016–20 details an ambitious plan to support the University’s growing national and international reputation as a leading teaching and research institution. The University’s overall strategic goal is to increase the intensity, excellence, impact, and reputation of its research. To support the University’s research direction in Health, the Graduate School of Health (GSH) is offering this scholarship in the discipline of Speech Pathology.

The candidate will explore the use of 3D food printers as an innovative technology aiming to improve the appearance and acceptability of the foods to people with swallowing disorders. The candidate will be supervised by two of the investigators within the Discovery Project funded by the ARC, involving Professor Bronwyn Hemsley at UTS, and Dr Stephen Dann, Australian National University. The project has good interdisciplinary research collaborations with faculties of engineering, health, and business, reflecting the potential application of this PhD across multiple disciplines. Therefore, candidates with a background in the health sciences, business, or engineering, are encouraged to apply.

Who can apply?

The research project is suitable for eligible applicants (see below) who wish to pursue research in the areas of food texture modification with innovative technologies, for people with swallowing disorders living in residential care or in the community. We welcome applicants with a background in allied health, medicine, nursing, business, dietetics, and engineering, as well as those with any prior experience in working with people with swallowing disorders. The applicant will be supported with a mix of research methods teaching and researcher development modules provided throughout the PhD program. PhD candidates are also supported to attend professional development in research with colleagues in the School and to present their work regularly.

Scholarship Value

• The full-time stipend rate associated with the scholarships is $28,092.00 per annum tax exempt. The total value of the scholarship is AU$84,276 over three years. It is available to suitable domestic applicants.
• Tuition fees for domestic (Australian citizen or permanent visa holder) applicants are automatically covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset (Domestic).
• Please note that this scholarship is governed by RTPS Conditions of Award. The successful candidate must commence in either Spring 2020 intake.
• In addition to the scholarship, the Graduate School of Health also provides approximately $1,500 per annum to directly support the research related activities (conference travel, training, copy editing, participant recruitment, etc.).

Essential requirements

To be considered for the PhD, applicants must have:

• a completed a Masters (at least two years) with a major research component (a thesis component of approximately 50 per cent of the degree and 20,000 words) at distinction level, unless the following exemption applies
• PhD applicants may be exempt from having to demonstrate either (a) a completed Masters with a major research component if they can also demonstrate:
  • equivalence through having completed a research-intensive undergraduate degree (e.g., with a substantive honours research project), or,
  • capacity to undertake independent research through prior research engagement (e.g., as a research assistant with responsibilities in the conduct of research with publication in peer reviewed journals).
• PhD applicants must also demonstrate their interest in the area of research and their strong quantitative, analytical, and writing skills.

Contact

To discuss your eligibility for entry into the PhD program in Speech Pathology, and prior to preparing your application materials, please contact Professor Bronwyn Hemsley so that you can discuss your eligibility and the development of the application.

Name: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Email:  Bronwyn.Hemsley@uts.edu.au

Phone: +61 2 9514 4279

Application deadline: 30 June 2020