Simplifying HIV and HCV Care
CREST: Combating Related Epidemics in HCV and HIV through Simplified Testing and Treatment
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.
This PhD project will leverage an NIH-funded clinical trial (CREST) jointly led by UNSW and the Duke Clinical Research Institute. The prospective PhD candidate will be based at the Kirby Institute, UNSW with the global placement at DCRI. CREST will test whether a novel bundle of point-of-care tests for hepatitis C, HIV and hepatitis B (with same-day hepatitis C treatment initiation) is superior to standard diagnostic pathways for identifying and curing hepatitis C infection.
The study will also evaluate linkage to HIV treatment and prevention services, including uptake of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis among people at risk of HIV. Outcomes from the randomised trial will be complemented by in-depth stakeholder interviews and mathematical modelling to inform future implementation science and health system research. The PhD project will generate new knowledge about world-leading models of care that address the health needs of key marginalised groups, driving hepatitis C elimination strategies in the United States and globally.
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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, Brendan Jacka - z3059491@ad.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 Brendan Jacka (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Gail Matthews (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Susanna Naggie (Duke University, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Alison Marshall (UNSW, 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 | Kirby Institute
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.