Individualized predictions of sleep, performance, and circadian rhythms

Summary

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The overarching goal of this set of projects is to understand the brain mechanisms of inter-individual variability underpinning our differences in brain rhythms and response to disturbances like sleep deprivation.

Supervisor

Dr Svetlana Postnova.

Research location

School of Physics

Synopsis

Insufficient and disturbed sleep are widespread phenomena in modern society with nearly 7.4 million Australians affected daily. Sleep loss induces adverse changes in alertness resulting in accidents and loss of life, e.g., contributing to 20-30% of fatal car crashes each year. Impaired alertness is unavoidable in occupations with shiftwork like healthcare, police, and fire and rescue service. The degree of impairment, however, is highly variable across individuals with the most vulnerable being at highest risk of accidents. Identifying vulnerable vs. resilient individuals and predicting an individual’s alertness is critical to minimising accident risks and improving safety. To address this major problem, these projects will combine biophysical modelling and big data to uncover the key brain mechanisms of individual variability in sleep, circadian rhythms and alertness in young and old individuals undergoing sleep deprivation. It is expected that models with individualised predictions will be applied in real-world to track and optimise sleep and alertness in population.

Additional information

Domestic PhD stipend funded by NHMRC Ideas grant. Candidates will require quantitative background, e.g., physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science and interest in biological systems.

Most projects involve collaboration with experimentalists and/or clinicians in Australia and overseas. Some of the projects involve collaboration with industry.

HDR Inherent Requirements
In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Science Postgraduate Handbook, you may be required to satisfy a number of inherent requirements to complete this degree. Example of inherent requirement may include:

Confidential disclosure and registration of a disability that may hinder your performance in your degree;
Confidential disclosure of a pre-existing or current medical condition that may hinder your performance in your degree (e.g. heart disease, pace-maker, significant immune suppression, diabetes, vertigo, etc.);
Ability to perform independently and/or with minimal supervision;
Ability to undertake certain physical tasks (e.g. heavy lifting);
Ability to undertake observatory, sensory and communication tasks;
Ability to spend time at remote sites (e.g. One Tree Island, Narrabri and Camden);
Ability to work in confined spaces or at heights;
Ability to operate heavy machinery (e.g. farming equipment);
Hold or acquire an Australian driver’s licence;
Hold a current scuba diving license;
Hold a current Working with Children Check;
Meet initial and ongoing immunisation requirements (e.g. Q-Fever, Vaccinia virus, Hepatitis, etc.)

You must consult with your nominated supervisor regarding any identified inherent requirements before completing your application.

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 2987