Centre of Research Excellence in Redefining
Antimicrobial Use to Reduce Resistance CRE REDUCE
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PhD opportunities

CRE REDUCE offers unique opportunities for students to work alongside researchers who are leaders in their field, on projects that directly translate to improved patient outcomes.

We offer our students:

  • Access to patients in leading quaternary level intensive care and burns units

  • Access to quality-assured bioanalytical laboratory with the latest HPLC/LCMS equipment

  • A large array of clinical research equipment 

  • Supervision by experienced internationally recognized researchers 

  • Multidisciplinary seminars 

  • Funds to attend national or international conferences

  • Access to computers and office space

Available projects

A great opportunity to join our team as a PhD student is now available with Dr Fekade Sime! The project aims to optimise the stability and dosing regimens of antibiotics for outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT). Applicants from a pharmacy, medicine, clinical nursing background are encouraged, with PK / PD knowledge desirable.

Nowadays OPAT is used more often and for a broader range of infections. However, studies have shown that some antibiotics are susceptible to degradation (especially in the hot or variable Australian climate) which leads clinicians to hesitate to use some antibiotics in OPAT settings. This project aims to address drug stability issues so that clinicians can make better decisions and be more confident about the use of antibiotic infusions in the community.

As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Assess whether the stability of infusion preparations is acceptable
  • Do real-life stability studies
  • Study the clinical pharmacokinetics of antibiotics used in OPAT programs
  • Use mathematical modelling approaches to predict appropriate dosing in OPAT settings

Applications will be selected on a competitive basis taking into account your previous academic and publication record, honours, awards and employment history. You should be able to demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of pharmacy, medicine, clinical nursing and the potential for scholastic success. A background or knowledge of pharmacokinetics is highly desirable.

*The successful candidate must commence by Research Quarter 1, 2024. You should apply at least 3 months prior to the research quarter commencement date. International applicants may need to apply much earlier for visa reasons.