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 PhD project will focus on developing intelligent AI-enabled measurement-based care support for clinicians. Measurement Based Care (MBC) involves collecting and analysing patient data in real-time to guide treatment decisions. MBC has repeatedly demonstrated improved outcomes in therapy, however, only 12% of psychologists use progress measures in clinical practice. Furthermore, despite its potential, the implementation and development of MBC is in its infancy. A key area for advancement includes creating algorithms for MBC to guide psychotherapy informed by individual mechanisms of change and treatment response, risk of treatment failure and dropout.

The PhD candidate will develop and evaluate an AI-enabled MBC feedback system capable of predicting individual risk of treatment failure and drop out as well as providing clinicians with real time, adaptive therapeutic intervention recommendations on what type of therapeutic intervention is likely to work best for each individual. We are seeking candidates with strong technical backgrounds in machine learning with 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 $5000 (total) to support travel and an additional $5000 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.