Multidisciplinary research on Methamphetamine Use and Service Utilisation

The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) invites applications for a PhD Scholarship on an NHMRC-funded multidisciplinary study of methamphetamine use and service utilisation in Melbourne.

The Project

The research aims to map the social contexts and epidemiology of methamphetamine use, related harms and health service utilisation/provision; to integrate these diverse data to better understand the barriers to improved access, engagement and retention of methamphetamine users in specialist drug treatment and other health services; to make recommendations for appropriate interventions; and to further develop and apply an enhanced ethno-epidemiology framework to the Australian context.

The Scholarship

The successful applicant will conduct a qualitative study of methamphetamine use and service utilisation in Melbourne. He or she will be based at NDRI’s Melbourne office, enrolled for a PhD at Curtin University of Technology and supervised by Associate Professor David Moore.

The three-year full-time scholarship will carry an annual stipend of $25,817 pa (plus allowances). The project has also been allocated additional funds to contribute to direct research costs such as equipment and fieldwork expenses.

The Application

Applications should address the selection criteria:

Essential selection criteria

A good honours degree, or equivalent, in anthropology, sociology or a related discipline;
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills;
The capacity to conduct qualitative research with methamphetamine users and drug service providers in Melbourne;
The capacity to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable selection criteria

Previous experience of qualitative research;
Previous experience in an applied or multidisciplinary setting.

Applications should include:

A curriculum vitae (including academic record);
A statement addressing the selection criteria;
A sample of writing (eg, a chapter from an honours thesis);
Two references from those familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
While the specific theoretical and methodological direction of the project will be developed in consultation with the supervisor, applicants should also outline, in approximately 500 words, how they would approach the research.

Applications close on Wednesday 30 July and should be sent to:

Pauline Taylor-Perkins

By mail:
National Drug Research Institute
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845

Or by email:
p.taylor-perkins@curtin.edu.au

For more information, contact Associate Professor David Moore on (03) 9412 9900 or D.Moore@curtin.edu.au.