PhD Scholarship in Personalised Biomechanics

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease in Australia, affecting 1 in 5 people. Approximately 60% of people with hip OA undergo joint replacement within 3 years of first presenting to a healthcare professional, which highlights the ineffectiveness of current non-surgical treatments. Many people with hip OA are unsatisfied with their current management options.

This project will test the efficacy of a ‘smart’ therapeutic intervention for people with hip OA in a natural environment (i.e., home, gym, outdoors, clinic). This co-designed technology integrates cutting-edge neuromusculoskeletal models with advanced wearable technology and artificial intelligence to calculate hip loads in real-time. Outcomes will include efficacy of a personalised load-modification intervention for people with OA, characterisation of how people with hip OA load their hip in a natural environment, and identification of muscle forces that underpin hip loads during activities which drive symptom worsening and disease progression.

Requirements

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. A successful candidate is expected to hold a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours or a master’s degree. These degrees should incorporate a significant research component in either of biomechanics, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, human movement science, kinesiology, or related degrees. Essential skills include knowledge in rigid-multibody dynamics (OpenSim) and computer programming skills (MATLAB, Python or C++).

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19