WSU and WSLHD Midwifery PhD scholarship - BuBsQuit RCT

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Lead Researcher: Professor Donna Hartz

About the project

The aim of the BUBs Quit (BQ) Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) is to determine the effectiveness of the BQ multi-component smoking cessation intervention compared to standard care in assisting pregnant women to stop smoking.  The study will provide primary and secondary maternal and child health outcomes related to maternal smoking cessation at 3 months postpartum (which is 6 months following smoking cessation counselling). The study investigates the effectiveness of the Clinical Midwife Specialist in assisting pregnant women to quit smoking using 4 sessions of smoking cessation counselling and embedded technology (MyQuit Buddy mobile phone app, and reinforcement messages). The findings of this study will provide evidence and insights into the positive effect of a Clinical Midwife Specialist in reducing smoking during pregnancy.
This PhD project will examine the RCT outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) women. Aboriginal women have higher rates of smoking in pregnancy than non-Indigenous women (44% compared to 71%). Aboriginal babies are more likely to be born preterm, have a lower birth weight and die due to SIDS. Smoking in pregnancy is a significant contributor to these outcomes.

This PhD opportunity will enable the student to develop skills to:
- Conduct research among Aboriginal communities which is ethically and culturally appropriate;
- Work within a large research team across multiple sites;
- Learn to manage RCT project processes including human research ethics compliance, participant recruitment, data collection and data management;
- Undertake quantitative data analysis; and
- Report and publish ​the findings of an RCT using globally rigorous standards.

As a PhD candidate, you will be supervised by Professor Donna Hartz, Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University (WSU) and Chair of Midwifery at Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD). Prof Hartz is the lead at the Western Sydney Midwifery Research Centre within the WSU Blacktown Clinical School & Research Centre at Blacktown Hospital, NSW and is a Chief Investigator of the BQ RCT. The BQ is funded with an NHMRC partnership grant and NSW Health and is led by Emerita Professor Robyn Richmond AM from the University of NSW.

What does the scholarship provide?

We welcome midwives from a range of backgrounds, who are committed to midwifery research and the knowledge generation for smoking cessation in pregnancy.

  • Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
  • International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $35,000 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. International candidates will be responsible for their own
  • Financial support via HDR candidate funds for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional research costs as available and approved by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Eligibility criteria

We welcome midwives from a range of backgrounds, who are committed to midwifery research and the knowledge generation for smoking cessation in pregnancy.

The successful applicant should:

  • Be a current Australian registered midwife or eligible for registration as a midwife within Australia.
  • Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
  • Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects relevant to midwifery, maternal and infant care, smoking cessation or Indigenous studies.
  • Have an understanding of the impact of smoking and vaping in pregnancy and the benefits and smoking and vaping cessation.
  • Be immunisation compliant, or willing to be compliant, with the NSW Health Contingent Worker Category A requirements: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/Occupational/recruit_ocp_kit.pdf
  • Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake further study at an advanced level.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

How to apply

Follow the step-by-step instructions on the how to apply for a project scholarship(opens in a new window) page.

  • Note: You do not need to complete 'Step 5: Submit an online application for admission' when applying for this scholarship. You must complete 'Step 6: Submit an online application for a project scholarship'.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher;
Professor Donna Hartz

For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:

  • Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
  • Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here

Applications close 30 April 2024

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship reference code: PS2024_062_SoNM