The Personalized Stent Intervention Through Patient-Specific Modelling PhD Scholarship is a fully funded Higher Degree Research (HDR) PhD scholarship offered by the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Australia. The project is hosted by the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and focuses on developing personalized computational and experimental models to improve the outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) using coronary stents. Moreover, the scholarship supports innovative research that combines engineering, medical imaging, and cardiovascular medicine to improve patient care. Through this project, doctoral researchers contribute to personalized treatment strategies with direct clinical applications.

Background and Purpose

The project develops patient-specific models of coronary arteries before and after stent implantation. Researchers integrate medical imaging, computational modelling, and experimental validation to build these models. During the PhD, they obtain the required ethical approvals, collect patient-specific imaging data, perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and conduct experimental investigations. The research investigates how individual anatomical differences affect blood flow and stent performance. The findings help clinicians personalize treatment strategies and improve long-term outcomes for patients undergoing coronary interventions. The project also advances precision medicine by supporting safer and more effective cardiovascular treatments.

Personalized Stent Intervention Through Patient-Specific Modelling PhD Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship provides a top-up award of AUD 15,000 per annum for eligible candidates. Applicants must already hold, or become eligible for, a UNSW Research Training Program (RTP), Research Training Program International (RTPI), University Postgraduate Award (UPA), or University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA). Scholars join the Sydney Vascular Modelling Group and work with experts in medicine, computer science, and mechanical engineering. They gain access to advanced computational modelling tools, medical imaging technologies, engineering simulation software, and collaborations with clinicians and biomedical engineers. These opportunities help students develop strong interdisciplinary research and technical skills.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for a PhD at UNSW. They must demonstrate excellent academic achievement and strong research potential. Both domestic and international applicants are eligible to apply. Applicants must already hold, or be eligible to obtain, a UNSW RTP, RTPI, UPA, or UIPA scholarship. They should also have previous research experience, strong knowledge of fluid dynamics, and practical experience with ANSYS Fluent or similar computational fluid dynamics software. Experience in scientific publishing is highly desirable. UNSW particularly encourages female applicants to apply.

Personalized Stent Intervention Through Patient-Specific Modelling PhD Scholarship Application Process

Applicants should contact the project supervisor before submitting a Higher Degree Research application to UNSW. They must provide all required academic documents and explain how their qualifications, research experience, and technical skills match the project’s objectives. Applicants should also confirm their eligibility for a qualifying UNSW scholarship before applying for the top-up award. Early communication with the supervisory team and careful preparation of the application can improve the chances of selection.

Opportunities for Scholars

The scholarship gives students an outstanding opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research in biomedical engineering, computational modelling, and cardiovascular medicine. Scholars work closely with clinicians, biomedical engineers, and computational researchers throughout the project. The program helps students develop expertise in medical imaging, computational fluid dynamics, engineering simulation, and patient-specific modelling. Their research directly improves coronary stent treatment and personalized healthcare. These skills prepare graduates for careers in academia, biomedical engineering, medical technology, cardiovascular research, healthcare innovation, and the medical device industry.