Applying modern epidemiological methods to optimise cancer prevention through physical activity

About the project

Advance our knowledge on cancer prevention 

If you are keen to pursue a career in oncology and interested in harnessing epidemiology to help prevent cancer, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Australian Centre for Precision Health (ACPreH).

Cancer is one of the leading global causes of mortality and morbidity. There is good evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of several cancers. But the causal nature of these associations remains unclear due to the observational nature of the studies underpinning the evidence.

Observational studies can suffer from common biases, such as confounding, selection bias and measurement error, and results are rarely quantified. For example, self-reported measures of physical activity are error-prone and introduce bias when estimating associations with disease risk.

However, the direction and magnitude of this bias is unknown. A suite of new methods, known collectively as ‘quantitative bias analysis’, has been recently developed.

Our project aims to generate the most robust evidence to date on the causal associations between moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and sedentary behaviour and the risk of overall cancer and specific cancers using quantitative bias analysis. 

You will be situated within the ACPreH, which is located in the SAHMRI building. ACPreH is a multi-disciplinary research centre consisting of many world-leading researchers. There is a vibrant and collegial academic atmosphere at ACPreH with a mix of Honours and HDR students, and early-to-mid career and senior researchers. 

You will have the opportunity to attend and present at the monthly ACPreH seminar, and to be involved in a number of other networking events. You will also have the opportunity to attend and be involved in regular professional development and networking events run by the overarching academic unit.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will undertake quantitative data analyses and a systematic review. We will then teach you a range of modern epidemiological methods in the areas of causal inference and quantitative bias analysis. You will then apply these methods to a very large dataset that includes questionnaire data, accelerometry, linked cancer registry data, and genetic data.

There are opportunities to work with and receive mentoring from epidemiologists, statistical geneticists and biostatisticians, providing you with a valuable platform from which to launch your career.

We will encourage and support you to attend and present your research at local, national and/or international conferences in the areas of epidemiology, public health and physical activity. You will also be guided in developing academic journal articles.  

Where you’ll be based

You will be based at the ACPreH, which is a research centre that brings together a multidisciplinary group of leading experts in genomics, population health and evidence translation.

Our vision is to keep people healthy by personalising health advice based on the differences in our genes and environment. We do this by discovering ways to improve risk prediction and risk factors, developing cutting edge methods for personalised prediction and prevention of diseases, and translating our findings into health education to help prevent the onset of disease. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Previous experience and/or qualifications in epidemiology/biostatistics.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City West campus in the heart of Adelaide.

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025.