PHD OPPORTUNITY – WaSH, Typhoid Fever and Leptospirosis in Fiji
Funded Project
Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji – preventing Typhoid, Dengue and Leptospirosis
Project background
Water-borne diseases are endemic in Fiji (Pacific Islands) with 20 reported typhoid outbreaks since 2005, an outbreak of dengue affecting 27,000 in 2013–14 and a three-fold increase in leptospirosis since 2016. This project seeks to understand the influences on pathogen persistence and outbreak patterns within watersheds. The research involves in-depth collection of water and sanitation samples along with community surveys and observations. Water, sanitation and/or hygiene interventions will be designed to tackle the targetable transmission routes of these pathogens in-order to improve community health.
PhD topic
Understanding the relationship between water, sanitation and hygiene practices within watersheds and the outbreaks of Typhoid Fever and Leptospirosis in Fiji, Pacific Islands.
Research need
In Fiji, there are frequent outbreaks of Typhoid Fever and Leptospirosis. Contributing factors to the reoccurrence of these diseases are inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene along with disrupted natural ecology of watersheds. However, the mechanisms of persistence in the environment for these microbiological pathogens is currently not well understood. Further, traditional detection by microbial culture techniques has low isolation rates and are time consuming to conduct. Research is needed to apply molecular identification techniques for these two pathogens in the environment. With enhanced understanding of pathogen distribution and persistence then targeted interventions can be planned and implemented. This research will inform Government of Fiji policies and plans to improve health.
Research questions
•What densities of target pathogens and what relationships exist with WaSH practices within select catchments?
•What are the environmental and anthropogenic factors that allow the organisms to persist in the selected catchments in Fiji?
•What is the likelihood of disease when the organisms are present in the environment?
•Is there a relationship between the persistence and etiology of both organisms (Salmonella typhi and Leptospriosis?
•Can a model be developed to predict the likelihood of disease in a given location?
•What are the most efficient interventions that the Government of Fiji can invest in to protect people’s health?
Research locations
•Enrolment for the PhD in the Humanitarian Engineering group, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney
•The research will involve multiple blocks of time (3 months plus) of fieldwork in Central Division of Fiji and also the Mataika House Laboratory
Supervision
•Primary supervisor: Dr Jacqueline Thomas – Faculty of Engineering
•Appropriate secondary supervisors will be sort based on the candidate
Candidate requirements
•Undergraduate degree in science or engineering with honours (awarded at Class I or Upper Class II), and/or Masters by research in science or engineering
•Demonstrated laboratory experience with molecular microbiology techniques and understanding of DNA sequence analysis techniques
•Demonstrated experience of work or research applied to water, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries
•Ability to travel to Fiji and live and work in the field for periods of time
Scholarship support
•One scholarship is available for PhD tuition fees and a candidate stipend (AU$ 28 000 for 3.5 years)
•Project support for all travel and laboratory work
How to apply
•Send your application via email to jacqueline.thomas@sydney.edu.au
•Include in the email:
oA cover letter addressing why you are the right candidate to pursue this PhD opportunity o A full curriculum vitae/resume
o Academic transcript from your last completed degree (bachelor or masters)
•Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until the position is filled