Evaluating and investigating the room service model for nourishing patients while in hospital

Peninsula University Hospital (previously Frankston Hospital) is about to undertake a major transformation of its foodservice system, moving from a traditional foodservice model to a modern room service approach. It will be the first large public hospital in Victoria to implement room service, creating an exceptional opportunity to describe, explore and evaluate this foodservice model. Room service is known to increase patient satisfaction, food intake, reduce waste and generate cost savings. However, room service relies on patients initiating their own meal ordering, and there is limited understanding of what occurs and what the impacts are among patients who are unable to do this. This PhD project will investigate the room service model of foodservice in healthcare and its suitability for and impacts on different patient groups. This project will involve data collection at Peninsula University Hospital, Frankston, and will involve engagement with consumers, foodservice providers and consideration of nutrition, health and operational outcomes. This work aims to address a critical gap in understanding of room service and foodservice models in healthcare, to provide recommendations that optimise systems and processes to ensure all patients are well fed. The PhD project can commence immediately. This project will be conducted as a collaboration between Monash University Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food and Peninsula University Hospital. The candidate will be based at Monash University, Notting Hill and Peninsula University Hospital, Frankston. POST PhD OPPORTUNITIES This PhD will allow the candidate to develop knowledge and skills in: co-design, consumer engagement, systems thinking, implementation science, quality improvement, collaboration, leadership, project management, communication, research design, participant recruitment, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses, cost analyses, nutrient analyses, food service design/models, menu management systems, electronic menu ordering, menu planning and review. These skills will be translatable to a number of different settings providing opportunity for employment in foodservice, food industry, clinical dietetics, research, quality improvement and governance after graduation. SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE A scholarship to support the candidate to undertake this PhD is available to full time students ($34,315 = equivalent to an RTP scholarship). A laptop will also be provided. CLINICAL DIETETIC WORK AVAILABLE The PhD student will also be considered to work casually as a clinical dietitian at Peninsula Care Group alongside their PhD, providing opportunities for additional income, work experience and developing professional networks. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - Domestic students only - Qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics essential - must meet Monash University PhD eligibility requirements found here: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/apply - Full time load is preferred HOW TO APPLY Expressions of interest close on 30TH JUNE 2026. To express your interest, please click on 'contact the researcher' and complete the form. Your CV should include contact information for 2 referees as well as a description of all your research experience, any research publications/presentations you have and interest and experience in foodservice. Applicants will be invited to attend an interview.