Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Research area
- Environmental sciences
Project description
There is significant public concern about a growing illegal tobacco market in Australia. This project aims to use a wastewater-based epidemiology approach to establish a world-leading program to monitor the prevalence of illicit tobacco use in the Australian population.
In this project, we will use a pioneering combination of desktop review, laboratory and field experiments as well as the big wastewater data set that helps to cross-check and validate the suitability of important WBE biomarkers for monitoring tobacco use in wastewater.
Once the new method is refined and validated, it will be applied to wastewater samples collected regularly by the NWDMP from >50 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Australia (>50% of the population). This WP will be advised by WBE experts at QAEHS, UQ, such as Prof. Jochen Mueller, ARC Laureate Fellow, and Prof. Kevin Thomas, lead of the international collaborative network on WBE research.
It is expected that in the future, we can extend the framework to identify biomarkers for other products prone to illicit sales, including cannabis and psychedelics.
Research environment
Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) is internationally recognised for research excellence in the environmental sciences. There are established state-of-the-art sampling, analysis and archiving facilities for wastewater research located at UQ Dutton Campus in Woolloongabba.
QAEHS’ analytical capabilities are leading in the Southern Hemisphere with a dedicated trace analytical laboratory and state-of-the-art instrumentation for the environmental analysis of wastewater samples, which is the core of this project.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal 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
A working knowledge of environmental sciences, environmental engineering, analytical chemistry and public health would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
A background or knowledge of fieldwork is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2026. You can start in an earlier research quarter.
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Associate Professor Phong Thai (p.thai@uq.edu.au).
When you apply
To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI
In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:
- Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
- Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
- Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: THAI-270825
- Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/monitoring-illicit-tobacco-australia