Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- Herston
- Research area
- Biomedical and clinical sciences
Project description
Endometrial cancer originates from the inner layer of the uterus and is the fifth most common cancer in women. In Australia, the incidence is >3,000 cases per year and this is rising at a rate of 1% year on year, while globally over 400,000 patients are diagnosed annually. Current standard treatment requires surgical removal of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries (hysterectomy). Clinical management guidelines for early-stage endometrial cancer also prescribe lymph node dissection to determine (via histopathology) the extent of the disease, however, this may lead to treatment that is more extensive than necessary.
We are currently running a phase III randomised clinical trial exploring the risks and benefits of lymph node dissection in clinical stage I endometrial cancer. The primary outcome of the trial is to determine the probability of disease-free survival at 4 years.
This project focuses on assessing:
- Patient-reported outcome measures, including health-related quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence
- Perioperative outcomes, including intra- and postoperative adverse events
- Lower-limb lymphoedema
- Requirements for adjuvant treatment
- Biomarkers to improve outcomes for patients
Research environment
This project is situated at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) Research within the UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR). QCGC Research aims to reduce the current and future burden of gynaecological cancer and to develop kinder, less invasive, and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. UQCCR is located at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital campus in Herston.
The successful applicant will work as part of the QCGC Research team as well as collaborate with researchers, clinicians, consumers, and stakeholders from other organisations and the community.
Scholarship
This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.
Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of statistics, qualitative research, patient-reported outcome measures, translational or biomarker research and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of gynaecological cancer is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2027. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2026 30 June, 2026.
You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- Contact Professor Andreas Obermair (a.obermair@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.
When you apply
You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.
In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:
- My higher degree is not collaborative
- I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
- UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.