Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- Herston
- Research area
- Health sciences
Project description
This PhD is embedded within ROIDCheck, the world’s first anabolic-androgenic steroid drug checking and health intervention program.
You will examine the composition, use patterns, and health impacts of illicit steroids, alongside the development and evaluation of evidence-based harm reduction responses.
Working closely with community partners, health services, and an interdisciplinary research team, you will contribute to applied research spanning forensic analysis, public health, and social science. The project will involve a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, including analysis of drug checking data, consumer interviews, and evaluation of health service engagement and outcomes.
This is a rare opportunity to undertake a high-impact, internationally visible PhD that directly informs policy, service delivery, and community practice. You will be mentored within a nationally and internationally connected research program and supported to publish, present, and build an independent research profile.
Research environment
You will be based within a well-established health services and public health research environment, working in partnership with government and non-government organisations, and national and international collaborators.
You will have access to:
- drug checking and surveillance data generated through ROIDCheck
- partnerships with frontline health services and peer-led organisations
- a multidisciplinary supervisory team spanning public health, social science, and applied drug research
The project offers extensive opportunities for collaboration, fieldwork, knowledge translation, and engagement with policy and practice.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $37,500 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered.
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 public health research methods, qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, substance use research, or applied social research and a working knowledge and lived-living experience of image and performance enhancing drugs would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of public health, social science, epidemiology, biomedical or applied health sciences, or related disciplines, and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or demonstrated interest in alcohol and other drug research (specifically steroids and image and performance enhancing drugs), health equity, community-based research, implementation science, or mixed-methods research is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2027. 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 Dr Timothy Piatkowski (t.piatkowski@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: STEROID-PIATKOWSKI
- Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/roidcheck-reducing-illicit-steroid-harms-through-drug-checking-services