A 4-year Scientia PhD scholarship at UNSW Sydney is potentially available to outstanding candidates from mathematically focused sciences. The project is focused on understanding the genomic epidemiology of N. gonorrhoea in Australia and interpreting this in relation to evolutionary behaviour of N. gonorrhoea and inferences around spatial spread of resistant strains. While the topic has a strong theoretical component, there is high public health interest in these questions due to the continued emergence and international spread of multi-drug resistant gonococci. These resistant bacteria threaten the efficacy of treatment and an improved understanding of the rich genotype and genomic data available will help inform public control of the infection.

The project is under the supervision of A/Profs James Wood and David Regan who specialise in epidemiological modelling of infectious disease and Prof Mark Tanaka from UNSW Sydney who is expert in evolutionary behaviour of bacterial pathogens. Potential candidates will need to submit an expression of interest via https://www.2025.unsw.edu.au/apply/scientia-phd-scholarships/modelling-genomic-epidemiology-antimicrobial-resistant-gonorrhoea. The Scientia scheme takes into account academic and research potential but in addition considers relevant professional experience. More information about the scheme is available here: https://www.2025.unsw.edu.au/apply/unsw-scientia-phd-scholarships-faqs