Students complete experiments in one of the medical labs

Sign-up for research

Explore postgraduate research opportunities at ANU's School of Medicine and Psychology. Join our leading research community and advance your career in a supportive academic environment.

Join our research

At the School of Medicine and Psychology, we provide a supportive environment for postgraduate research. Our programs encourage innovation and excellence, giving you the resources and guidance to make important contributions to your field. Whether you are interested in clinical sciences, mental health, or medical education, you will find a community of dedicated scholars and state-of-the-art facilities to support your work. We offer a wide range of potential research topics. Contact a supervisor for further discussion and ideas. If you have a specific project idea that is not listed, you may contact a potential supervisor directly.

As a postgraduate researcher at the Australian National University, you will benefit from our strong industry connections and partnerships with leading health organisations. These relationships offer unique opportunities for practical experience and professional growth. Our commitment to mentoring and development ensures you are well-prepared for a successful career in academia, healthcare, or beyond. Join us at the Australian National University and be part of a community that is shaping the future of health research.

Projects

TACS-depression: Closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation in depression

This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of personalised transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) as a therapeutic approach for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Theme

Brain, Vision, Mental Processes and Health
Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Clinical Care

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Bernadette Fitzgibbon, Co-investigator
Dr Neil Bailey, Co-investigator
Dr Stephanie Gotsis, Co-investigator
Ms Jey Raveendran, Co-investigator
Ms Shona Brinley, Co-investigator
Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Principal investigator

TACS-OCD: Investigating the efficacy of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) therapy in alleviating symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Theme

Brain, Vision, Mental Processes and Health
Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Clinical Care

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Bernadette Fitzgibbon, Co-investigator
Dr Magelage (Prabhavi) Perera, Principal investigator
Dr Neil Bailey, Co-investigator
Dr Stephanie Gotsis, Co-investigator
Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Co-investigator

TACS-theta: Investigating transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation protocols to increase theta activity in the healthy brain (tACS-theta)

This research aims to explore various transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) methods to identify the most effective procedure for modulating brain activity to enhance memory and mood.

Theme

Brain, Vision, Mental Processes and Health
Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Clinical Care

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Bernadette Fitzgibbon, Co-investigator
Dr Neil Bailey, Co-investigator
Dr Stephanie Gotsis, Co-investigator
Ms Jey Raveendran, Co-investigator
Ms Shona Brinley, Co-investigator
Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Principal investigator

Technology, Art and Innovation: toward new paradigms in health professional education

This project by the SMP Collaborative Health Education, Society and Self (CHESS) Lab examines the use of arts, technology, self expression, and innovative teaching approaches in higher education.

Theme

Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for students

People

Associate Professor Alexandra Webb, Principal investigator
Associate Professor Krisztina Valter-Kocsi, Principal investigator
Dr Lillian Smyth, Principal investigator
Dr Riemke Aggio-Bruce, Principal investigator

The 3D Printed Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration

We are currently developing a set of materials that show high potential in facilitating and enhancing cellular growth and tissue regeneration using biochemical technology and 3D printing technology.

Theme

Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Clinical Care
Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Rachel Li, Principal investigator
Professor Paul Smith AM, Co-investigator

Professor Luke A. Connal

The benefits of exercise for retinal health and reducing retinal degenerations

Exercise as a preventative for neurogenerative diseases.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Riccardo Natoli, Principal investigator

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on social studying and on students use of learning resources

The impact of enforced isolation and on-line learning on medical students.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, MPhil, PhD students

People

Dr Suzanne Estaphan, Principal investigator

The New Psychology of Leadership

In this research program, we examine principles and processes outlined in our book, The New Psychology of Leadership.

Theme

Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Professor Michael Platow, Principal investigator

Professor S. Alexander Haslam (University of Queensland)
Professor Stephen Reicher (St. Andrews University)

The Relations Study: Women who use drugs and their children within the health and welfare system

Building on our work in an innovative UK-based study covering the same topic, this proposal aims to build a new team of Australian researchers to develop a funding application to explore this urgent and under-researched issue.

Theme

Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Anna Olsen, Principal investigator

Cathy Banwell
Helen Keane

The role of miRNA in the development of aseptic loosening around hip and knee arthroplasty

This program will provide better understanding of mRNA related to aberrantly expressed miRNAs, which would be drug targets.

Theme

Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Clinical Care
Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Rachel Li, Principal investigator
Dr Yi Deng, Co-investigator
Professor Paul Smith AM, Co-investigator

Three-dimensional printing

This research targets on better applying the powder based AM technology in orthopaedic industry.

Student intake

Open for Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, PhD students

People

Associate Professor Rachel Li, Supervisor
Professor Paul Smith AM, Supervisor

Thwarted identity: The missing link between psychopathology and prejudice

Prejudice and the extremist violence that arises from it are typically explained either by the psychopathology of individual perpetrators, or by their membership of extremist groups. This project will seek to reconcile these competing explanations.

Theme

Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

Group

Health and Identity Lab

People

Professor Kate Reynolds, Co-investigator
Professor Michael Platow, Co-investigator
Professor Tegan Cruwys, Principal investigator

Professor Catherine Haslam (University of Queensland)
Professor S. Alexander Haslam (University of Queensland)

Toward a social-psychology of prejudice reduction: Examining lay beliefs

This project aims to expand social-psychological knowledge of prejudice by examining beliefs about what prejudice is, as well as the social and psychological factors affecting these beliefs.

Theme

Society, Culture and Health

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, MPhil, PhD students

People

Professor Michael Platow, Principal investigator

Associate Professor Dirk Van Rooy (Antwerp University)

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Brain Stimulation Research Registry (TMS-REG)

The Registry has been designed to collect data over a long follow-up period to try to understand the outcomes of patients receiving multiple rounds of TMS and brain stimulation treatments.