CFI - Understanding Human Health and Environmental Challenges

University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Updated: 3 days ago
Location: Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES
Deadline: 08 Apr 2024

Overview

Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) - National Research Network on Human Health and Environmental Change.

HEAL aims to transform the human health and environmental change research landscape in Australia by establishing a highly innovative, inter-disciplinary, geographically distributed, dynamic and equitable network of researchers and research end-users from across Australia.

HEAL's specific objectives are to:

1. Enhance capacity and capability through inter-disciplinary collaboration, training, and sustained interaction between researchers and stakeholders, with a focus on strengthening Indigenous research capacity and capability;

2. Characterise the complex interactions between the primary, secondary and tertiary health effects of environmental and climate change;

3. Quantify the current and future environmental burden of disease under a range of climate, environmental and socio-economic scenarios, at high spatiotemporal resolution;

4. Evaluate policy options, e.g. accelerated adaptation and mitigation action vs. delayed action or inaction, on health-related costs and benefits and health equity;

5. Monitor the health sector’s carbon footprint and the efficacy of interventions to reduce emissions and waste, and improve its resilience to environmental change over time;

6. Improve data linkages for the early detection and rapid response to future environmental health risks and related diseases;

7. Use knowledge brokering and innovative research translation and communication methods to raise awareness, debunk myths, promote action and avert polarisation in public debate.


Who is eligible?
  • Applicants must be either permanent Australian or New Zealand citizens/residents.
  • Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a biomedical or biological science
  • Have a strong academic record and prior laboratory experience
  • Completion of Honours degree with First Class, or Second Class Division 1; or MSc Research; or MSc Coursework with a research thesis of at least 6 months. 

Selection process
  • be highly motivated and capable of independent work
  • have a strong team focus
  • possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of people and within established collaborative teams
  • have knowledge of a research/laboratory environment and requirements
  • be computer literate in standard research software
  • be able to maintain thorough laboratory records
  • experience with standard lab techniques such as ELISA, RNA extraction, reverse transcription, qPCR, western blotting, cell culture, aseptic technique, histological analysis, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and primer design.
  • Be able to conduct in vivo mouse models

Applications closed

1st November 2023


Need more information? Contact...

Please contact Prof. Phil Hansbro at The Centre for Inflammation at UTS for more information.


Other information

The Centre for Inflammation and others involved in this research program have been awarded a large multidisciplinary grant to achieve our aims. The CFI has a PhD scholarship available for the right applicant to help us achieve the aims of the themes we are most involved in. The applicant could choose one of the following these or even work on both

Bushfires, Air Pollution and Extreme Events.

Bushfires seriously threaten lives and have ongoing psychological, physical health, social, ecological and economic impacts. These are not limited to fire-prone communities, as air pollution can affect large, distant populations. The scale of the 2019/20 fires, and associated >400 deaths mainly from smoke exposure, signal a trend likely to continue under unmitigated climate change. Air pollution from transport, energy generation, industry and domestic sources in Australia is linked to around 2600 deaths a year, equivalent to a $6.2 billion cost. Fossil fuel combustion is also a major source of the greenhouse gases and pollutants that drive climate change. Bushfires, pollution and extreme weather operate through coupled human and natural systems, in which environmental feedbacks and synergies (e.g. droughts, heatwaves, haze, floods) and human responses (e.g. urban sprawl, land clearing, health service demand) lead to further direct and indirect impacts on people and the environment.

This project will (a) investigate the short/long-term and synergistic effects of exposure to fires, pollution, drought and heatwaves; (b) Identify solutions to support evidence-based policy and practice (e.g. Indigenous burning practices, low-risk gardens, ventilation systems, air cleaners, health messaging); (c) Address key research gaps in inter-related areas (peri-urban planning) where integrating multidisciplinary approaches can modify environmental risk factors.

Biosecurity and Emerging Infections.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are increasing globally and impacting severely on human health. Environmental change drives disease transmission dynamics and is influenced by urbanisation, climate change and extreme weather, changes in farming practices, deforestation and biodiversity loss. COVID-19 has highlighted the influence of the natural and build environment on emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. UNEP recently released key messages for preventing the next pandemic, including a call for stronger evidence on the complex social, economic and ecological drivers of emerging diseases. The Australian Science & Research priorities include a strategic focus on OneHealth, recognising that the health of people, animals and the environment are interconnected. A OneHealth approach is crucial for integrated environmental health risk assessments. Early warning systems need to take account of environmental changes over time, spatial variability, international health risks (movement of people, animals, goods) and population characteristics, particularly in our neighbours/trading partners in Asia-Pacific.

This project will (a) Strengthen evidence on the complex environmental, social and ecological dimensions of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, and vector-, air- and water-borne diseases, to assess and control the risk of changing disease transmission patterns and outbreaks. (b) Develop a robust early warning system for environmentally-driven infectious diseases in Australia and the Asia-Pacific (c) Build on OneHealth multidisciplinary approaches to infectious diseases, and design an integrated, national surveillance system.

Studying at UTS

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is Australia’s Top Young University and ranked within the Top 200 universities worldwide. Its vibrant campus is located in the centre of Sydney, with easy access to all amenities and transport that is ideally suited for PhD student living.

The Centre for Inflammation (The Centre) is the first initiative joint programme between the University of UTS and Centenary Institute (CI).

The Centre, led by Professor Phil Hansbro, is a large, internationally renowned and world-leading research centre in chronic respiratory diseases, and is recognised by Australian industry and government agencies as a leading source of knowledge and expertise in this space. The Centre carries out fundamental, discovery and translational research. We investigate the mechanisms of disease induction and progression, research and develop new and novel therapies and preventatives, as well as translational human and clinical studies.

The Centre is located in the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine And Cell Biology is a world-leading independent medical research institute, closely affiliated to the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Our research focuses on three key areas: cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Our strength lies in uncovering disease mechanisms and applying this knowledge to improve diagnostics and treatments for patients. The Centenary Institute is located at Camperdown in Sydney's Inner West.


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