An additional senior technical supervisor will be appointed depending on the student’s expertise and exact project direction.

RESEARCH INTERESTS OF THE TEAM

Orygen Digital is a global leader in developing and implementing digital interventions for youth mental health. We have delivered multiple research products, spanning the translational pathway from research to real-life implementation, and are now supporting over 15,000 young people experiencing mental ill health. Recognising the need for more personalised and effective approaches to treatment, we are moving towards adopting AI and advanced methods to optimize our current digital interventions. The current PhD project will support this endeavour, providing the right candidate with an opportunity to make a substantial real-world impact.

PROJECT DETAILS

This University of Melbourne PhD is offered in collaboration with the CSIRO.

This project will focus on developing adaptive intervention strategies that will support more personalised care for young people. AI-enabled digital interventions have the ability learn and adapt with continuous use, boosting both engagement and treatment effects. Yet, AI has rarely been used and tested in digital mental health interventions. The candidate will develop and evaluate a statistical reinforcement learning algorithm to optimise the type and frequency of content delivered to a young person through our digital interventions. This will support personalised mental health provision, optimising long-term engagement and treatment efficacy. The ideal candidate will have strong statistical skills, some programming experience and a passion for mental health.

During the first year, the PhD candidate will complete nine weeks of coursework delivered by CSIRO Data61 to develop the foundational skills necessary for undertaking an AI-related project.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FEES

Stipend of $40,500 p.a. for 3.5 years, with an additional $15,000 p.a. to support training and $5,000 (total) to support travel and an additional $5,000 for cost-of-living relief.

HOW TO APPLY/ CONTACT

Please contact Dr Isabelle Scott if you are interested in pursuing or hearing more about this PhD opportunity.