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Using causal epidemiological approaches to understanding the causes and consequences of endometrial cancer

This project is closed for international students.

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
Herston
Research area
Health sciences

Project description

The incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) is increasing; it is now the fifth-most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women.

It is recognised that EC is understudied and that consumers and healthcare providers have critical unanswered questions about prevention and survivorship. Although five-year survival is relatively high at 83%, the mortality rate is increasing because of an increase in more aggressive subtypes of disease. Furthermore, the women who do survive longer term may face higher risks of other chronic diseases and complications that affect their quality of life.

In this project the student will use large linked administrative health data sets (with 20+ years of follow-up and including ~14,000 women with endometrial cancer) to:

  1. investigate causes of endometrial cancer by histological subtype to understand what is driving increased incidence; and
  2. investigate the long-term health outcomes of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer and factors that positively and negatively affect survival time.

You will use methods such as emulated target trials and causal mediation analyses to interrogate these issues in detail in order to develop policy and practice relevant results for translation.

Research environment

You will be based at the School of Public Health at The University of Queensland, with its vibrant Higher Degrees Research (HDR) community (buddy scheme, HDR conference, social events) and will work on projects funded (including data/infrastructure/administrative) by Professor Susan Jordan’s NHMRC Investigator and other grants.

The data for the proposed work are available and ready to use. You will work on data linkage and other projects (including international collaborative projects giving you the opportunity for forming new collaborations) in endometrial cancer, and these projects/data sets have facilitated high-impact Q1 publications for previous HDRs.

Non-communicable disease prevention are key research priorities for SPH, thus the project is an ideal fit for the School.

Professor Jordan actively supports new HDR students to develop their creative and critical thinking skill. She also ensures opportunities for lead authorship on papers and presentations, and supports internal/external participation in career-progressing courses, and involvement in national and international collaborations.

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

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 epidemiology including study design and, dealing with error, bias, and confounding is required. Some experience in data analysis using SAS, STATA, or R would be an advantage. Some knowledge of causal methods would also be useful.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of human biology is highly desirable.

How to apply

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 4, 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:

  • RQ 1 (January): 30 September
  • RQ 2 (April): 31 December
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 March
  • RQ 4 (October): 30 June.
  • RQ 1 (January): 30 June
  • RQ 2 (April): 30 September
  • RQ 3 (July): 31 December
  • RQ 4 (October): 31 March.

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 Susan Jordan (s.jordan@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: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
  3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: ENDOMETRIAL-JORDAN
  4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/using-causal-epidemiological-approaches-understanding-causes-and-consequences-endometrial-cancer

Submit an EOI

This project is not available to international students

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