Research scholarships

Full project title: Applying big data analytics to unlock valuable insights and drive personalised hearing healthcare interventions in Taiwan and Australia

About the scholarship

Hearing loss is a common medical condition worldwide that increases exponentially with age.

This project aims to apply predictive analytics, machine learning and statistical modelling to retrospective data, combined with ongoing collection of real-time prospective data from large cohorts, which could lead to more targeted interventions and personalised treatment strategies for individuals with hearing loss.

The student will be supported by supervisors from diverse fields. Specifically, it complements:

• Professor Gopinath’s expertise in epidemiology
• Professor Chuang’s expertise in omics data analysis, precision medicine and preventive health
• Professor Wang’s expertise in sensor design.

Additionally, Professor Chen’s research on cell mechanics and complex systems may provide alternative interpretations for data analysis.

This interdisciplinary supervision will encourage a holistic understanding of the project, enabling the student to address complex challenges from multiple perspectives.

Availability

This scholarship is available to eligible candidates to undertake a direct entry full time PhD program commencing in 2027.

Students will enrol at both institutions from the outset. In terms of their location for study, the entry point for students beginning at NTHU, the entry point is February 2027 (exact date TBC).

Applicants who are already enrolled in a doctoral degree at the NTHU or Macquarie may be considered for the position if they have a minimum of 24 months left in their PhD candidature at the time of joint enrolment (February 2027).

Eligibility

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met:

• For National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), see how to apply and entry requirements
• For Macquarie, see PhD entry and English language requirements, and graduate research scholarship eligibility criteria.

Additional criteria

Applicants must not already:

• hold a doctoral degree; or
• be matriculated for a doctoral degree at another institution.

Components

Macquarie will provide:

• a living allowance scholarship at an annual rate of AUD$39,700 (2026 rate, tax exempt), paid pro-rata, while the student is in Australia, and a tuition fee scholarship for the period of joint enrolment (up to 36 months).
• an airfare allowance for flights between Taiwan and Australia up to a maximum of AUD$4000.

NTHU will provide:

• Macquarie student with a dual PhD degree scholarship NTD15,000 per month while the student is at NTHU (up to 24 months), and a tuition fee scholarship.
• NTHU student with a dual PhD degree scholarship of NTD11,000 per month while the student is in Australia (up to 24 months). While studying at NTHU, students may apply for additional sources of funding. For more detailed information, contact the relevant departments directly.

How to apply

Students are to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to:

• Professor Bamini Gopinath (Macquarie supervisor) at bamini.gopinath@mq.edu.au
• Professor Chunyu Chuang (NTHU supervisor) at cychuang@mx.nthu.edu.tw.

Include the following documents:

• CV including information about publications
• transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees
• information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall)
• statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)
• indication that the student meets the English language requirements for entry into a PhD program at both universities, or willingness to obtain relevant English language proficiency test results.

Full application

The preferred candidate will be invited to submit a formal application to NTHU and Macquarie.

• At NTHU, candidates submit the application form to the Office of Global Affairs at gac@my.nthu.edu.tw.
• At Macquarie, candidates apply for the PhD program and the Cotutelle/joint PhD scholarship through the application portal.

Upon formal application, the Macquarie Global Programs Team and NTHU Office of Global Affairs draft and finalise the student agreement. Enrolment is subject to formal offer, acceptance and agreement finalisation at Macquarie.

All relevant entry and immigration requirements for both institutions must be met.

Contact us

Further enquiries about the global PhD scholarships may be addressed to: