Enhancing Non-operative Care Of ACL Rupture: Equity and Effectiveness (ENCORE)

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated full-time PhD candidate to join an interdisciplinary team conducting a clinical randomised controlled trial of care following ACL rupture.

Funding is available for a PhD stipend and research expenses.

About the project

This project is funded by the HRC .

Health Research Council of New Zealand – Enhancing Non-operative Care Of ACL Rupture: Equity and Effectiveness (ENCORE)

It will compare outcomes from using the novel Cross-Bracing Protocol (including rehabilitation) to rehabilitation alone for people who experience an ACL rupture. The project has a strong equity focus and will recruit equal numbers of Māori, Pacific, and non-Māori/non-Pacific participants so that results apply to communities currently experiencing the worst outcomes.

The PhD project will focus on qualitative process evaluation of clinician and participant experiences but will also include other elements. The PhD candidate will be a full member of the research team and gain experience in conducting and publishing a high quality clinical trial.

Applicant attributes

• You must have completed an Honours or Master's degree in sciences (health, social, or general) with a substantive research component and achieved excellent grades
• You must also meet the criteria for enrolment in the University of Otago PhD programme
• You must be highly organised, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and a willingness to work as part of a team and learn new skills
• Experience of working with or connecting to Māori and / or Pacific Communities will be highly valued
• Previous qualitative research experience will also be an advantage

Funding

The clinical trial and PhD research expenses are fully covered by the HRC grant. The PhD candidate will receive a (tax-free) stipend of $30,000 per annum from the HRC grant. The HRC grant funding is not able to pay tuition fees. However, the PhD candidate can apply for a University of Otago PhD Scholarship

Doctoral scholarships

A PhD Scholarship will pay an additional stipend and a domestic tuition fees waiver for 36 months.

If you are a straight A student ( GPA of 8 - 'A' grade) or higher, who has completed an Honours or Master's degree with an appropriate research component from a New Zealand university, then you are likely to be guaranteed a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship. However, there are a range of scholarship categories that have different requirements.

Time-line

The candidate can commence from August 2025 and must have started before 1 March 2026. The PhD must be completed full-time to make use of the available funding.

Supervision

Professor Ben Darlow will be the primary supervisor. Additional supervisors will be selected based on the needs of the candidate.

How to apply

Please send an expression of interest that briefly explains your background and motivations (300 to 500 words) to Professor Ben Darlow.
Email ben.darlow@otago.ac.nz

Useful information

• Graduate research at the University of Otago
• Scholarships at the University of Otago