Primary Healthcare Workforce Investment Case
Building the economic case for investment in the primary health care workforce
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.
How can countries achieve the greatest health and equity gains from investing in their primary health care workforce? This PhD will develop a health economic framework to help governments answer this question. The candidate will apply the framework across selected countries to compare workforce configurations using workforce planning, costing, modelling, and affordability analysis. The research will assess how existing workforces can be used more effectively, where additional investment would deliver greatest value, and which pathways offer a feasible route to scale.
The project will connect with the Lancet Primary Care Commission on the Global Primary Care Workforce and international policy partners. A unique research placement at the University of Oxford will enable collaboration with leading global health researchers. This project will suit an exceptional health economics candidate with strong quantitative skills and a commitment to policy impact. Experience working in or with low- or middle-income settings is also particularly desirable.
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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, Blake Angell - bangell@georgeinstitute.org.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
Blake Angell (UNSW, The George Institute for Global Health, Primary Supervisor)
Rohina Joshi (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Virginia Wiseman, (UNSW, The Kirby Institute, Co-Supervisor)
Luke Allen (University of Oxford, 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 | The George Institute for Global Health
Impact focus area
Pillar 7: Advance economic & social prosperity
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Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
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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.