Deakin-Aston Cotutelle - Lifestyle interventions to improve healthcare workers wellbeing

This is a doctoral cotutelle project between Deakin University (Australia) and Aston University (UK)

The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Deakin University with the supervision team being drawn from Deakin University and Aston University. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Deakin University and one from Aston University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The PhD Student is anticipated to spend a minimum 6 months of the total period of the program at Aston University with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

The program is for a duration of 3 years and scheduled to commence in October 2025.

This programme of work will involve the development, piloting and feasibility-testing of a brief intervention to reduce stress and improve wellbeing amongst hospital-based healthcare shift workers and their families. The intervention would likely focus on key domains to reduce psychological distress and improve wellbeing, including, physical activity, nutrition and sleep. Many interventions already exist, though they haven't always been evidence-based or theoretically informed and are rarely assessed well in their target population and context. Uniquely, the intervention will be adapted to meet the needs of healthcare families and involve systemic engagement to enable it to be embedded within healthcare practices and family lifestyles.

The project's objectives are to;

• co-produce a brief intervention to improve stress and wellbeing among hospital-based healthcare shift workers and their families
• feasibility-test and evaluate the intervention with healthcare shift workers and their families

Applications close 5pm, Monday 30 June 2025

This scholarship is supported by Deakin University, is available over 3 years and includes:

• Stipend of $35,550 per annum  tax exempt (2025 rate)
• Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
• Full tuition fee waiver for up to 4 years
• Funding to support single travel between Deakin University and Aston University.

To be eligible you must:

• be a domestic candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Aston University, including English language proficiency requirements
• be enrolling full time
• be able to physically locate to both Aston University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and Aston’s research entry criteria page for further information.

Additional criteria:

• healthcare related training and experience, preferably in optometry, are desirable
• preferable skill requirements include experience working with children, good communication skills are important and ability to work in a clinical team