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Expressions of Interest (EOI) for PhD Scholarships

The following information will assist those seeking to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in response to recent advertisements about this population health research study in Thailand. The study aims to recruit three Thai and two Australian researchers to undertake PhDs studying the health-risk transition occurring within Thailand's population.

The project, led by Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and The Australian National University (ANU), involves 13 investigators from STOU, Chiang Mai University, the Thai Ministry of Public Health, the Thai National Economic and Social Development Board, the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at ANU, and the University of Queensland.

Educational background of applicants

In order to be considered for admission, applicants will be expected to have achieved - by the end of 2004 - an Honours 2A or above, or to have completed equivalent prior studies that include some research work. Equivalent studies can include a Graduate Diploma or a Master qualifying course, or a Master degree with some research work at a sufficient standard. Candidates with other qualifications and experience that include research may be considered for admission.

Fieldwork in Thailand and acquisition of Thai language skills

The study may require successful applicants to undertake a proportion of their candidature on fieldwork in Thailand. The ability to learn or speak Thai may be required.

The Scholarship

Successful applicants will initially be offered a 3-year PhD scholarship, which includes a generous stipend, with a possible six-month extension.

English language competency

Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency by sitting the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, so that this can be assessed. Where an applicant satisfies the academic admission standard for the PhD, but requires further English language tuition, he/she will be advised that additional English language tuition will need to be completed to the required standard before commencing his/her research degree. The required IELTS standard for admission to a PhD program is an overall band score of 6.5, together with a score of at least 6.0 on all components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

Although IELTS is generally preferred, The American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may also be accepted. A TOEFL score of at least 570 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test), together with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of 4.5 or better, is required.

Commencement of PhD

It is anticipated that successful applicants will enrol at ANU to commence their candidacy for the PhD by no later than 31 March, 2005. International students may be able to start later in the year.

Expressions of Interest – requirements

Expressions of interest should include a curriculum vitae accompanied by:

•  Evidence of relevant academic achievement at Honours 1/Honours 2A level, Masters or equivalent. Please include certified copies of academic transcripts. Do not delay submitting an expression of interest if you are waiting for results of current study. Forward the result or transcript as soon as it becomes available. You may also provide a letter from an academic supervisor attesting to your expected performance in a course for which you are still awaiting the result;

•  Evidence of your research potential – e.g. thesis extracts, examples of published papers, scientific reports and other relevant academic papers;

•  Brief references (email acceptable) from academic supervisors, attesting to your research potential (fuller references will be required should you be invited to proceed with an application to the PhD program);

•  Evidence of your English language proficiency if your first language is not English;

•  Evidence of proficiency in the Thai language, or of a willingness and capacity to acquire that proficiency.

Should you be invited to proceed with an application for admission to the PhD program and award of a Thai Cohort Study scholarship after your Expression of Interest has been assessed, please note that you will then be required to submit:

•  A brief research proposal with an indication of possible supervisors;

•  Full referee reports from two referees, accompanied by completed ANU ‘Referee Questionnaires';

•  A completed post graduate research scholarship application form available (with Referee Questionnaire) at: http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/forms/sas25.pdf

•  Certified copies of academic transcripts (if not already submitted with EOI);

•  Evidence of English language proficiency (if required) that is not more than two years old (if not already submitted with your EOI).

Interested persons should further note that awardees of scholarships would be expected to relocate to Canberra to commence the PhD on campus at ANU in the first instance. The attendance requirement for full-time candidates is usually a minimum of 18 months, unless a candidate has approved external status. Further information on this policy is available at: http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate/papers/1599e-03.php

For Australian applicants:
Send expressions of interest to Ms Helen Levy , National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU Canberra ACT 0200, by 7 September 2004. Shortlisted persons from the Expressions of Interest will be invited to submit formal applications for PhD candidacy by the closing date of October 31, 2004.

For more information on the research for Australian applicants please contact Ms Tanya Mark 61 2 6125 0714

For Thai applicants:
Further information may be obtained from Ms Duangkae Vilainerun, Thai Cohort Study Co-Investigator and Project Manager, at STOU's main campus in Nonthaburi: Telephone 02 5047780 (within Thailand).

The closing date and application procedures for Thai candidates will differ a little as per instructions issued in Thailand. For applicants applying via Thailand (Thai citizens and permanent residents of Thailand) please note instructions in the Thai language for your Expression of Interest that were included in the Thai advertisement within Thailand. http://www.stou.ac.th/ANU/