The ONE BRONCHIECTASIS cohort study: bridging cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis to enable future clinical trials

Bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis (CF) are chronic suppurative lung diseases that share important pathological features, including chronic infection, inflammation and progressive airway damage.

Recent advances in CFTR modulator therapies have transformed outcomes for many people with CF and created new opportunities to align clinical research pathways across CF and non-CF bronchiectasis populations.

The ONE BRONCHIECTASIS study is an international multicentre observational cohort recruiting approximately 600 participants across Australia, Europe and Israel, including 300 people with CF-associated bronchiectasis and 300 people with bronchiectasis from other causes. 

You will contribute to:

• Analysis of patient-reported outcome measures including QOL-B, CAAT and CFQ-R
• Validation of exacerbation definitions used in CF and bronchiectasis clinical trials
• Characterisation of inflammatory pathways using sputum and blood biomarkers
• Evaluation of airway microbiology through molecular and metagenomic approaches.

You will join an internationally recognised respiratory research program at Mater Research and The University of Queensland. 

The project will be embedded within global collaborations including EMBARC and leading CF and bronchiectasis research centres across Europe and Australia.

You will have access to advanced respiratory clinical datasets, biomarker laboratories, biobanking facilities, imaging datasets, international mentorship and opportunities for publication and conference presentation.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

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 respiratory medicine, clinical epidemiology, translational research, or clinical trials would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of biomedical science, medicine, pharmacy, public health, physiology, microbiology, biostatistics, or a related discipline and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis epidemiology and biostatistics biomarker research and clinical trial methodology is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 27 November, 2026 27 November, 2026.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Professor Lucy Burr (l.burr@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:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: BRONCHIECTASIS-BURR
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/one-bronchiectasis-cohort-study-bridging-cystic-fibrosis-and-bronchiectasis-enable-future-clinical-trials

Submit an EOI