Jasper Prijs

Cotutelle PhD student

2022 – 2023

G’day mate! Nestled on the southern coast of Australia, Adelaide stands as a beacon of opportunity for medical students and doctors to perform high-quality research. Known for its vibrant vineyards, stunning landscapes, and welcoming atmosphere, Adelaide offers an excellent environment to develop into an experienced researcher, swimmer, surfer and road-tripper.

Academic growth is catalysed by the morning coffees at Theo’s—the motor oil of the department—where you can connect with other researchers, touch base with surgeons to think through ideas and catch up with professor Jaarsma to tackle small issues that are holding you back. You’ll be swept up by the Australian optimistic and laidback mindset, so that even the most time sensitive deadlines will not make you break a sweat.

Adelaide's strategic location makes it an ideal starting point for unforgettable road trips and outdoor adventures. Just a short—from an Australian point of view—drive from the city, you'll find some of Australia's most breathtaking landscapes. From the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges to the pristine beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, where you can surf, swim, and soak up the sun. Not unimportant, Adelaide is right in the middle of Australia so you can embark on a road trip along the East or West coast to conclude your research journey!

Reinier Spek

Cotutelle PhD student

2020 – 2022

When you sign up for a research position in Flinders Medical Centre (Adelaide, Australia) you commit to a pleasant work-life balance where a vibrant, laid-back outdoor life meets high-level medical science. In Flinders Medical Centre, we have expertise in a great variety of research methodologies such as medical engineering, 3D printing, prediction models and AI driven image recognition, all of which can be applied to your specific project(s). With plenty of available data due to our high exposure to trauma patients, you have a solid basis to design fruitful studies and answer important clinical questions. Aside to the many scientific opportunities, the clinical work is driven by a pragmatic hands-on teaching style where you work in an inspirational team with experienced orthopaedic consultants.

One of the special perks of working in this teaching hospital is its location in Adelaide. Adelaide is known for its epic nature, stunning sunsets, and great beach vibe. You can easily meet and adopt the Australian lifestyle and it is a haven for sports enthusiasts interested in Australian Football, field hockey, surfing, road cycling and much more. It is also the perfect base for an adventure into the outback or to enjoy your first Australian drive on the beach and setting up camp next to thousands of others while lighting your barbecue. For these reasons it is no surprise that Adelaide has been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, currently holding the 12th position.

All in all, it’s a fantastic place to develop yourself as an independent researcher while enjoying the perks of living an adventurous lifestyle. Adelaide created many lasting memories for me, and I can’t wait to return one day.