Disability Health Transition Navigator Program
Health transition navigators: Supporting young people with intellectual disability from paediatric to adult care
Published on the 08 October 2026 by UNSW Scientia PhD Project
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.
Young people with intellectual disability face significant health inequities, and the move from paediatric to adult health care is often where support falls away. This co-produced PhD, part of the MRFF-funded My Health Choices My Way programme, examines the role of the health workforce in supporting this transition.
Working alongside people with intellectual disability as co-researchers, you will interview health professionals across paediatric, primary, community and adult care to map current practice, identify workforce capability gaps, and co-design better ways to support young people and their families. Your findings will inform national recommendations and a health care transition toolkit, with clear potential to shape policy and practice.
You will join a supportive, experienced supervisory team and undertake a research placement at Trinity College Dublin, comparing approaches in Ireland and Australia. We would love to hear from applicants interested in inclusive, co-produced health research.
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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, Iva Strnadova - z3346467@ad.unsw.edu.au. If she 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
Professor Iva Strnadová (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Associate Professor Elizabeth Emma Palmer (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Associate Professor Rebecca Koncz (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Associate Professor Mary-Ann O'Donovan (Trinity College Dublin, 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 Arts, Design & Architecture | School of Education
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.