PhD studentship: Leptospirosis - experiences of the patient and their whānau.


Operational research funding is available from the New Zealand Health Research Council for a PhD studentship based with the School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North, New Zealand commencing on 30 September 2019. This fulltime, three-year studentship is a unique opportunity to work with a globally important zoonotic disease in a high quality training environment with multidisciplinary supervisors and advisors. You will develop or extend your skills in social science, epidemiology and data analysis.  

A current PhD candidate is conducting a nationwide prospective case-control study and this advertised studentship focusses on subsequent nested sub-studies. These include investigating the physical, social and financial burdens faced by leptospirosis patients and exploring patients’ attitudes to interventions such as animal vaccination and the use of personal protective equipment. This would involve delivery of a follow-up questionnaire, in-home semi-structured interviews and analyses of resultant data.   We are looking for a researcher who is developing their independent thinking, wants to learn new skills or tools and can connect with patients who are often rural based and in farming/meat working occupations. A driver’s licence is essential. 

The successful candidate will be residing in New Zealand, have a degree in social or biological science with a Master’s degree in a relevant field.  One year of student stipend is secured and candidates will be eligible to apply for a Massey University Doctoral scholarship for the remainder of the stipend.

More information about the project is here: http://leptospirosis.org.nz/Research/Emergingsourcesandpathwaysforleptospirosis.aspx

Make informal enquiries and/or requests for more detailed information to Associate Professor Jackie Benschop: j.benschop@massey.ac.nz

Make enquiries about PhD requirements and enrolment to School of Veterinary Sciences, Postgraduate Studies and Research Administrator, Ms Debbie Hill: D.M.Hill@massey.ac.nz

Applications (in the form of a cover letter outlining the candidate's motivation and fit for the project, together with a CV) should be emailed to Ms Wendy Maharey: W.Maharey@massey.ac.nz.

The closing date is 31 August 2019.


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