BREATHE Better
A multicountry evaluation of point-of-care devices and AI for diagnosing breathlessness in primary care
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
Chronic breathlessness affects millions worldwide and is a symptom of many heart and lung diseases, yet patients often face delayed diagnoses, repeated investigations and fragmented care. What if we could bring accurate, timely diagnosis directly into primary care?
This PhD offers an exciting opportunity to transform how chronic breathlessness is diagnosed and managed through innovative point-of-care technologies and AI. Embedded within the Australian BREATHE Dx Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funded study, you will investigate whether point-of-care diagnostic tools for lung function and cardiac assessments with AI support can improve diagnostic accuracy, patient, and health system outcomes.
You will also work with international partners to compare the impact of similar implementations across the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Through hands-on clinical research, advanced data analysis and an international research placement in the Netherlands at the General Practitioners Research Institute (Groningen), you will develop expertise in general practice, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, digital health and AI, clinical trials and implementation science, generating evidence to reshape frontline healthcare worldwide.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Anthony Sunjaya - a.sunjaya@unsw.edu.au. If he agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Dr Anthony Paulo Sunjaya (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Christine Jenkins (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Allison Humphries (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Janwillem Kocks (GPRI, Co-supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Medicine & Health | School of Population Health
Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
Learn more
Supervisors
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.