Kids and Sibs Top-Up Scholarship

Top-Up Scholarship for a high-achieving domestic candidate to undertake a PhD on how risk factors shape the development of mood disorders.

This PhD project will investigate longitudinal predictors of mood states and mood disorders, with a particular focus on the common and unique contributors to bipolar disorder, psychosis and recurrent depression. It will examine risk and resilience factors that shape the onset, course, and outcomes of these conditions over time. Particular attention will be given to modifiable factors such as sleep patterns, substance use, and stressful life events, and to non‑modifiable factors including DNA‑based genetic vulnerability and family history of mental illness. The project will also assess how these factors interact over time to influence mood disorder trajectories.

The successful candidate will work with the Bipolar Kids and Sibs Study, a longitudinal investigation of a high‑risk cohort with up to 15 years of follow‑up examining the development of bipolar disorder. This dataset includes rich phenotypic clinical information, neuroimaging, and blood‑based genetic data. The project will also incorporate validation using comparable large‑scale longitudinal datasets that follow young people over time to better understand brain development, mental health, and behaviour.

This is a broad PhD opportunity with flexibility to align the project with the student’s background and interests. Applicants should have completed a Masters with Research, including a completed thesis or a relevant Honours degree. Applicants should demonstrate strong research, analytical, and written communication skills. A proven ability to contribute to research outputs, such as peer‑reviewed publications, is desirable to obtain UNSW Scholarships.

We welcome applications from candidates with a strong interest in neuroscience and mental health, particularly those with experience in mood disorders, longitudinal research, or complex data analysis. Experience working with large datasets, along with an understanding of youth mental health, including prevention and predictive approaches, will be highly regarded.

Scholarship

Top up $20,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years to support living expenses. The successful candidate will also be supported to apply for a base Research Training Program (RTP) stipend, valued at $39,206 per annum (2026 rate, indexed).

Eligibility

• Domestic PhD applicants

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV and a 300-word cover letter outlining their interest in the project and their suitability to Associate Professor Aswin Ratheesh at a.ratheesh@unsw.edu.au.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a formal application for the PhD program at UNSW and apply for an RTP stipend at the time of application: https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/hdr/application.

Application must be submitted by 5 October 2026