PhD Research Opportunity - The Economics of Preventing Future Health Inequalities

The research opportunity

This PhD research opportunity will focus on evaluating the impact of preventative health policies on current and future health inequalities. 

Preventative health interventions can affect health inequality because baseline risks, and intervention uptake, effects and adherence vary across groups.  

In the context of this PhD research opportunity, interventions of interest include, but are not limited to: screening programs, vaccination, life-style interventions, and preventative medication. 

Analysis will utilise best practice in health inequalities measurement, modern econometric techniques, behavioural experiments, and modelling. 

This research opportunity will produce policy-relevant, causal estimates of the effects of health preventative interventions on health inequalities. 

Depending on the student’s interest, potential projects may include: 

• the evaluation of an existing health prevention program, 
• the development of a measurement tool for health inequalities, behavioural experiments to assess how preventative interventions can improve uptake and adherence, 
• and the modelling of future health inequalities by building tools for distributional cost effectiveness analysis. 

Ideal candidate

This PhD research opportunity would suit someone with a strong quantitative background (e.g. econometrics, statistics), and an interest in applying their  skills to research at the intersection of inequalities, health and policy evaluation. 

Training, travel and supervision

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Prof Dennis Petrie, Monash University and Dr Gawain Heckley (Lund University, Sweden). 

They will be based at the Centre for Health Economics, Monash University and work jointly with researchers based at Lund University, Sweden.

There will be opportunities for domestic and international conference travel and for research visits to Lund University and other international partner institutions (financial support available).

As part of the CHE PhD program, the candidate will undergo rigorous training in advanced health economics and related studies. 

PhD entry requirements and scholarship eligibility

Applicants should have: a 4-year bachelor degree, honours degree or  2-year master's degree (with research component) in economics, econometrics, statistics or a related quantitative discipline, demonstrated research experience, and strong academic results. 

Apply for a scholarship

First, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). If successful, you will be invited to submit a full application.

Important: Please make sure you select “Health Economics” as your area of interest in the online EOI form otherwise we will not receive your EOI.

EOI closing dates:

• International Students: 24 July 2024
• Domestic Students (Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia): 23 September 2024

You will be asked to include the following information (after the data privacy page):

• Your CV, including details of two referees
• A copy of your academic transcripts and details of grading scales
• Evidence of English language proficiency according to these guidelines
• A 1-2 page cover letter outlining your research skills, experience, research topics of interest and why this specific PhD opportunity interests you. 

About Monash University and the Centre for Health Economics, Australia

The Centre for Health Economics is one of the world’s leading research groups in the economic analysis of health and health care. We have the highest concentration of economists working in health in the Asia-Pacific region and the largest Health Economics PhD program in Australia, reflecting the reputation of our researchers and the quality of their mentorship.

Monash is one of the top 50 universities in the world, ranked top in health economics in the Asia-Pacific region. As a PhD student of the Centre, you will be part of a team of researchers at the cutting edge of impactful international research across research themes including: disadvantage and health; global and environmental health economics; economic behaviour, incentives and preferences in health; and, economic modelling of health policies and technologies. 

About Lund University, Sweden

The current research opportunity is part of a collaboration between the Centre for Health Economics, Monash University and Lund University, Sweden. Health economics at Lund University is ranked foremost in Scandinavia and ninth in Europe within its field. Health economic research is conducted at the Lund University School of Economics and Management and at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Faculty of Medicine. The health economics research group working from the Faculty of Medicine primarily focuses on five research areas: 1) Public health issues; 2) Incentives and organization within healthcare; 3) Design of healthcare systems in terms of efficiency and distribution; 4) Economic evaluations of health interventions and programs; 5) Socioeconomic inequality in health and welfare. 

Employment prospects

PhD graduates from the Centre for Health Economics typically find employment as researchers in leading universities and consulting firms around the world. Our previous graduates have been successful in gaining positions at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the University of York, the University of Melbourne, Ernst & Young, the World Bank and government health departments.

Enquiries: dennis.petrie@monash.edu

Supporting a diverse workforce

Monash University recognises that its Australian campuses are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Kulin nations, and pays its respects to their elders, past and present.