SAGES ASERNIP-S Evidence Guidance Research Scholarship

The recipient is required to:

- be a member of SAGES (they may become a member after being offered the scholarship and prior to accepting)
- ideally, reside in Adelaide, Australia, for the duration for the scholarship. The minimum time in Adelaide is one year, but two years if the recipient is undertaking a higher degree 
- commit full-time to the scholarship (part-time is not allowed). Part-time clinical work may be possible with the approval of the supervisory team
- complete SAGES induction training
- produce at least one systematic review and related peer-reviewed publications on a topic approved by RACS
- present their research at the annual meeting of the Surgical Research Society of Australasia, at least once, during the scholarship period or within 12 months following the scholarship period.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the scholarship guideline (PDF 126.98KB)
Please also refer to the Research Scholarship policy (PDF 584.32KB)

Applications are open to:
- RACS Fellows
- SAGES members and prospective members (including candidate and student members, and members currently residing outside of Australia)
- RACS SET Trainees 
- Specialist International Medical Graduates (on the pathway to RACS Fellowship)
- Junior doctors registered to practise in Australia

The recipient is required to be or become a SAGES member prior to accepting the scholarship.

The recipient will work on projects both for RACS ASERNIP-S and for SAGES, dividing their time equally between both organisations. Some of these projects will be joint endeavours by the two organisations.

Responsibilities include:
- appraising the literature and conduct systematic reviews on high yield surgical topics, under the supervision of experts
using systematic review research to support the development of a health technology assessment
- engaging in the development of clinical practice guidelines for surgeons
- effectively guide working groups in the development of guidelines
- participating in publications of developed guidelines.

This is a full-time position and there must be a full-time commitment to the scholarship. Part-time is not permissible. Clinical work may be possible in line with the RACS Research Scholarship policy and with the approval of the supervisory team and credentialing bodies. If a foreign applicant is successful and they wish to undertake clinical work, it is their responsibility to obtain approval from AHPRA.

For further details regarding Heath Technology Assessment and Clinical Practice Guidelines responsibilities , please read the scholarship guideline - as linked under the Conditions, policy and guideline heading on this webpage.

Your application is to include:
- your career and employment details
- details for up to five publications including their DOI or URL (optional)
- an outline of your experience (if any) in systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines development and/or health technology assessment
- an outline of your experience (if any) in biostatistics and/or guidelines/HTA methodology
- an outline of your career goals
- a response regarding your interest in pursuing this scholarship

Selection is via written application and interview (all shortlisted applicants are invited to interview).
- all applicants will receive equal weighting during the selection process, irrespective of location
- the selection panel consists of a combination of representatives of SAGES, ASERNIP-S and the ANZSGC

The interview panel will assess the applicant's ability to show a thorough understanding of systematic reviews and CPGs, as well as any previous experience in conducting them. Prior experience with systematic reviews is beneficial but not required. Applicants will need to show a high level of time management and attention to detail as they will be working on a number of projects at any one time. They will need to have superior communication skills and work well in a team.

Application is via the Scholarships and Grants Program online platform, RACS Unlock, hosted by Survey Monkey Apply.

You may register as an applicant on RACS Unlock at any time, however applications will not display on your dashboard until the scholarship opening date. There is no need to re-register if you already have a RACS Unlock registration.

Please note: emailed applications are not accepted.

Visit RACS Unlock

Scholarship and Grant team
Email: scholarships@surgeons.org

For further information regarding the details of this scholarship, please emails the above scholarships address, marked to the attention of: Dr Geoff Kohn (Co-Chair, SAGES Guidelines Committee) and Associate Professor Wendy Babidge (General Manager, RACS Research, Audit and Academic Surgery).