Project summary
Sleep problems affect the majority of young people presenting to mental health services and are strongly linked to depression, anxiety, self-harm, and substance use, yet sleep is rarely assessed or treated in youth mental health care. This PhD will generate the first whole-of-population picture of how sleep problems present alongside mental health conditions among young people aged 12–30 in Queensland hospital and emergency department data, quantifying differences in service access and uptake, and effcetivness using these as measures of health-system equity. Interviews with clinicians across urban, regional, and remote Queensland will explore how sleep is currently recognised and managed, and what is needed for care to be developmentally appropriate for all young people and culturally responsive for First Nations young people. Findings will be integrated to map service-level gaps and co-develop recommendations to embed sleep health care within youth mental health services. First Nations components will be guided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Governance Group, consistent with the AIATSIS Code of Ethics and Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.
Applications close
25 October 2026 11:55pm
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Summary of position
A fully funded PhD scholarship is available for mixed-methods research on sleep in youth mental health care. The successful candidate will be based in Mount Isa, Queensland for the duration of candidature, embedded in a multidisciplinary research team with strong health service and community partnerships across Queensland. The candidate will receive supervision spanning sleep health, youth mental health epidemiology, qualitative, and Indigenous health research, with training in linked administrative data analysis and qualitative methods, opportunities for publications and conference presentations, and direct engagement with young people, clinicians, communities, and health services. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility and ideal candidates
The ideal candidate is a motivated, self-directed individual committed to improving mental health outcomes for young people and to health equity. They will hold (or expect to complete) a bachelor's degree with honours Class I or IIA, or equivalent, in psychology, public health, epidemiology, nursing, medicine, Indigenous health, or a related field. They will bring strong communication skills, sound quantitative and/or qualitative foundations, with a willingness to develop across both, and the interpersonal skills and humility to work respectfully with clinicians, communities, and Indigenous research governance. Resilience, adaptability, and enthusiasm for living and working in a remote community are essential, as the position is based in Mount Isa.
Experience in youth mental health, sleep health, administrative health data, or working with First Nations communities will be highly regarded. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
- A bachelor's degree with honours (Class I or IIA) or equivalent (e.g., MPhil, research master's, or demonstrated research experience) in psychology, public health, epidemiology, nursing, medicine, Indigenous health, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated commitment to conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a culturally safe and respectful manner, consistent with the AIATSIS Code of Ethics (2020); prior experience working with First Nations communities or organisations is highly desirable.
- Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrated capability (or willingness to develop skills) in quantitative analysis of linked administrative health data and/or qualitative methods, including yarning-informed interviewing.
- Willingness and capacity to travel to urban, regional, and remote Queensland sites for community engagement and data collection.
- Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check (Blue Card, Qld) and satisfy Queensland Health research governance requirements, including a criminal history check where required.
- Domestic candidates only - Australia & New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent residents
- Meet the university's English language proficiency and HDR admission requirements, and be available to commence by the 4th January 2027 on a full-time basis (part-time may be considered for domestic applicants with approval)
Inclusions
The full-time candidature period is 3 years, with possibility of a 6-month extension. Coverage for the domestic HDR student includes:
Stipend - $38 000 (AUD) per annum, paid fortnightly and is tax-free for full-time students.
Tuition fees - Full coverage, with a value of $29 300 per annum.
Relocation allowance - Up to $2,000 to relocate to a UniSC campus
All inclusions are in accordance with UniSC Research scholarship guidelines.
For more information
Contact Professor Fatima Yaqoot at fyaqoot@usc.edu.au.