PhD Scholarship: Mechanisms Linking Vascular, Brain, and Cognitive Health in Older Adults
This ARC-funded PhD scholarship at the University of Newcastle offers two opportunities to join the Functional Neuroimaging Lab, led by Professor Frini Karayanidis, as part of the Newcastle Healthy Ageing Research Team. The project investigates the cascading influences of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health on brain structure, function, and cognition in healthy older adults, with a particular focus on comparing the impact of cognitive and physical lifestyle interventions. The research aims to generate novel experimental evidence to inform an integrative framework that links lifestyle factors, vascular health, brain structure/function, and cognitive outcomes. The central research question explores whether cardiovascular, whole brain, and regional cerebrovascular systems contribute differently to individual variability in brain and cognitive health among older adults. PhD candidates will work within a collaborative research team and have the opportunity to define a research focus addressing one or more of the project’s key questions. The scholarship provides a living allowance of $37,440 per annum (2025 rate), indexed annually, and covers tuition fees for 3.5 years, with an additional relocation allowance of up to $1,500. The position is open to domestic students who meet the university’s minimum eligibility criteria for PhD admission. Applicants should have a background in neuroscience, psychology, medical science, or related fields, and are required to submit an email expressing interest, including academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a proposal that connects their interests to the project. The application deadline is 19 December 2025. For more information, candidates can contact Professor Frini Karayanidis directly. This project is ideal for students interested in the intersection of lifestyle, vascular health, and cognitive ageing, and offers the chance to contribute to impactful research in healthy ageing.
