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PhD Study

A PhD will value add to your clinical skills with expertise that will last a lifetime.
A PhD in epidemiology provides advanced skills in clinical and/or public health research.
DEPM has a strong record of achievement in PhD training with many graduates obtaining prestigious post-doctoral awards and securing senior positions in Australia and overseas. 
In 2008, we have over sixty PhD students enrolled.

PhD opportunities

Centre for Research Excellence in Patient Safety

The NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Patient Safety (CRE-PS) based in this department has several PhD opportunities. 
Clinical governance - CRE-PS in collaboration with the Center for Health Stewardship, ANU is offering a PhD scholarship to develop research in the field of clinical governance. This position will be based in Canberra.  More information 
Monitoring quality of care - CRE-PS is also offering a scholarship for a person interested in developing skills in using data to monitor quality of care. This position will be based at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. More information

Interested in a career in epidemiological modelling?

We are commencing a program of research to improve the effectiveness of chronic disease prevention in Australia. This program is funded through a 5 year NH&MRC Health Services Research grant, entitled “Better targeting of preventive services using epidemiological modelling”, and involves collaboration with Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands and the University of California in the USA.We have several PhD opportunities available and are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds, with experience in any of epidemiology, biostatistics, demography, actuarial studies, and econometrics, as well as health, social and behavioural sciences. An interest in the application of epidemiology to health policy, combined with strong quantitative skills would make this an ideal program for you.
For further information please contact Professor John McNeil on 03 9903 0565, or email john.mcneil@med.monash.edu.au

Intensive Care

An opportunity for a medical practitioner, nurse, or allied health worker with experience in acute care.
The Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Society Database Management Committee (ADMC) and the Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine (DEPM),  Monash University, at The Alfred Hospital,  are offering a three year scholarship. The ADMC provides peer review and quality assurance resources for Intensive Care Units in Australia and New Zealand. Combined databases now contain over 600,000 ICU episode datasets and information on workforce, resources, surge capacity and paediatric intensive care. 

DEPM plays a prominent role in public health medicine in Australia and has a very successful doctoral program with 51 students currently enrolled. Students are well supported in an intellectually stimulating academic environment and receive training in research methods and statistical analyses.
Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, hold an H2A, the equivalent or above.
Location - DEPM, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
For more information contact Associate Professor Graeme Hart on 03 9496 5916 or email graeme.hart@austin.org.au

DEPM provides high quality research training to graduates from a wide range of medical and non-medical backgrounds. Recent PhD students have been drawn from fields of clinical medicine, medical administration, biological sciences, environmental health, occupational health, physiotherapy and law. Prospective students can find details of the Department's current research activities in our Research area.

Current students and their areas of study

Why do a PhD with the Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine?

Progress of PhD students with DEPM is facilitated by a strong research environment with an extensive program of NH&MRC funded research; access to extensive infrastructure support including:

  • assistance in biostatistics,
  • data management,
  • computing and
  • support from experienced staff and a large student body.

Why study Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the key scientific discipline underlying some of the most important and rapidly developing areas of medicine.

These include:

  • Public health
  • Applied clinical research and clinical trials
  • Preventive medicine and health promotion
  • Health services research
  • Quality assurance and outcome measurement in healthcare
  • Health economics
  • Health policy development
  • Occupational and environmental health
  • Health risk assessment

What skills will be developed?

All students undertaking PhD studies within the Department are expected to attend coursework units in Epidemiology and Biostatistics provided as part of the Department postgraduate coursework program. In addition, PhD students are encouraged to participate in conferences and workshops, and to undertake further professional development in relevant fields.

During the course of their research, students will develop skills in the following areas:

  • Protocol development.
  • Design and conduct of research in humans.
  • Computer based data management and statistical analysis.
  • Scientific writing and communication.
  • Critical appraisal and interpretation of medical literature, and

  • High level knowledge of the chosen field of study

How will I support myself?

Full-time PhD students in the Department are supported by PhD scholarships provided by Monash University, the Alfred Hospital, the NHMRC, VicHealth or other bodies. These provide a tax free stipend, to which may be added income from teaching, and other limited employment outside the stipulated hours.

The Department makes a limited number of 'departmental scholarships' available on the condition that those individuals involved are likely to apply for and attract scholarship funding in the following round.

Since applications for scholarships are considered early in the year, it is important that prospective PhD students approach the department early (by March) if they wish to commence their studies at the beginning of the following year.

What does a PhD involve?

A PhD normally involves a series of related research projects, the results of which make a significant contribution to the knowledge or understanding in a field of study. Full-time students usually undertake the degree over three years while part-time students can take up to eight years.

In most instances, PhD students work as part of a research team and are considered to be staff members.

Most individuals undertaking a PhD find it to be a demanding experience requiring extensive after-hours work. University rules do not allow more than six hours per week of outside employment in normal business hours during a PhD candidature, and this restriction is observed by supervisors within DEPM.

How do I choose a PhD project?

A project suitable for a PhD has the following characteristics:

  • It is scientifically worthwile
  • It can be undertaken successfully with the available resources
  • It provides training in appropriate skills
  • It can be completed within a 20 month to 30 month time period.

Considerable judgement is needed to identify projects meeting these requirements and most students will need to be advised about appropriate studies, especially in the early stages of their enrolment. Whenever possible, students undertaking PhD studies within DEPM are attached to a major funded study and their work involves "substudies" within the larger project.

Before choosing a project, prospective students should review the research activities within the department's units to identify areas of interest.

What is expected from PhD students?

  • Contribution to the intellectual life of the department
  • Attendance and presentation at relevant professional meetings
  • A strong motivation to publish results of studies completed
  • An ethical and careful approach to research
  • Strict adherence to University restrictions on outside employment and other condictions of candidature.

Further Information

If you have any questions regarding the study of a PhD with DEPM please feel free to contact our PhD Joint Coordinator Dr. Robyn Tapp on (03) 9903 0555 or by email at Robyn.Tapp@med.monash.edu.au.

Candidature for suitable applicants can commence at any time of the year, however the closing date for the main scholarships is in October each year.

General information on resources and facilities available to postgraduate students at Monash University is provided by the Research Training & Support Branch. This page also has details of Scholarships and Awards, Doctoral Programs, the PhD and Scholarships Committee, and links to Forms & Documents to Download. The Monash University web site contains Admissions information and the Student Information page provides comprehensive links to information and services available to students.

Prospective international students should consult the Monash University Admissions information page to obtain relevant information on studying at Monash.

General information on the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria can be found on the Visit Victoria web site.

Do I have to pay HECS?

Virtually all full-time and most part-time PhD students are given exemption from HECS liability. Further tails on HECS exemption can be found in Chapter 6 of the Doctoral Program Handbook.