Fully funded PhD Scholarship: Breast Impact Detection and Protective Equipment

The Project

A fully funded PhD Scholarship is available for an outstanding candidate to work on a project co-funded by the University of Canberra and the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra. Embedded within the Applied Biomechanics research theme, the project will involve the development of a breast impact detection system for evaluation of breast specific impacts to inform protective equipment use in female sport. The project is supported by the Australian Sports Commission and aligned with the University of Canberra’s Women in Sport strategy. The project will involve lab based bioengineering and biomechanical data collection and analysis, including an international embedded research experience with project collaborators and co-supervisors at the University of Swansea, Wales and the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. This is an exciting experience for a PhD candidate based at the University of Canberra to collaborate closely with international researchers and industry as part of a collaborative research program.

The Scholarship

This PhD is co-funded by the University of Canberra and the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise. The annual stipend is AU$35,000 per annum (tax free) for a period of 3.5 years of full-time study, including full tuition fee waiver. Anticipated enrolment is March 2025.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be based at The University of Canberra (Canberra, Australia) under the supervision of Associate Professor Celeste Coltman and Dr Crystal Kean. External co-supervisors include Dr Dan Cottam (Australian Institute of Sport) and Dr Brooke Brisbine. The candidate will spend a prolonged period of time (up to one year) embedded at Swansea University and/or the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, to undertake research specific activities central to the project under the guidance of Professor Tim Claypole (Swansea U) and Dr Elisabeth Williams (Swansea U) and Professor Paul Docherty (U Canterbury) who will also act as external co-supervisors. There will also be opportunities to develop industry skills to enhance the research, practical and translational outcomes of this work at the Australian Institute of Sport as part of an industry internship.

This project would suit someone with a strong background and technical skills in mechanical or biomedical engineering or biomechanics and an interest in technology/sensor development for women in sport. Potential candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with Honours/ Research Masters in any of the fields described above or a related field. This opportunity is open to Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, and international students eligible to study in Australia on an international student visa. This is a competitive process with shortlisted applicants going to a second stage videoconference interview.