Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering a fully funded, full-time PhD scholarship aimed at exploring the energy demands and nutrition practices driving elite Olympic and Paralympic endurance cycling success. This project is a prestigious collaboration between ACU, AusCycling, and the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) to prepare athletes for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
PhD Scholarship: Powering Podiums – Elite Endurance Cycling Research (ACU) Australia
Key Details
- Designation: PhD Research Candidate
- Research Area: Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition, and Data Science (specifically focusing on energy expenditure and nutritional requirements of elite track cyclists).
- Location: Primarily based in Adelaide, South Australia (embedded with AusCycling and SASI), with time spent at the ACU Melbourne campus to work with the academic supervisory team.
- Last Date to Apply: Monday, 13 July 2026, 11:59 PM AEST
Scholarship Funding Package
The successful applicant will receive a comprehensive financial and professional support package for up to 3.5 years:
| Benefit Type | Description / Value |
| Stipend Scholarship | A$34,315 per annum (tax-free, indexed) |
| Dietitian Top-up | A$21,000 per annum for accredited dietitians (APD/AccSD) embedded 1.5 days/week with the industry partner. |
| Standard Top-up | A$5,000 per annum for candidates without dietitian accreditation. |
| Tuition Fee Scholarship | Full coverage valued at approximately A$34,728 per annum. |
| Industry Experience | Minimum of 60 full-time equivalent days working directly with high-performance industry partners. |
| Relocation Allowance* | Up to A$2,000 to assist with moving costs to Australia. |
| Health Cover* | Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provided for the visa duration. |
*Applicable to International candidates only.
Job Description & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will conduct applied, embedded research within the Australian High Performance sports system. Primary responsibilities include:
- Investigating the energy expenditure and nutritional requirements of elite Olympic and Paralympic endurance track cyclists.
- Answering critical physiological questions to directly contribute to the specific nutritional preparation of cyclists for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
- Collaborating daily with high-performance coaches and sports scientists at AusCycling and SASI.
- Splitting time between hands-on testing/monitoring in Adelaide and academic research/resource utilization at ACU’s Centre for Human Metabolism and Performance (CHaMP) in Melbourne under the guidance of Dr. Jamie Whitfield and Professor Louise Burke.
Eligibility & Qualifications
This opportunity is open to both domestic and international applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Academic: Must meet the entry requirements for a PhD program at ACU as outlined in their Higher Degree Research Policy.
- Professional Credentials (Desirable): Accreditation as a dietitian (e.g., Accredited Practising Dietitian [APD], Accredited Sports Dietitian [AccSD], or international equivalent).
- Experience & Interest: * A strong interest in sport science, nutrition, or data science.
- Demonstrated experience working alongside athletes.
- An interest in applied, embedded research within national sporting institutes.
- Condition: The successful applicant must agree to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU upon enrollment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the following application steps before the deadline:
- Step 1: Express Your Interest Contact the Principal Supervisor, Dr. Jamie Whitfield, via email at jamie.whitfield@acu.edu.au to discuss the research project details prior to submitting a formal application.
- Step 2: Prepare DocumentationGather a comprehensive CV outlining your academic/practical experience and a targeted cover letter detailing your specific interest or experience in this program of research.
- Step 3: Submit Official ApplicationApply through the ACU PhD program application portal. On the form, explicitly indicate that you are applying for a stipend scholarship and include the exact project name: “Powering Podiums: exploring the energy demands and nutrition practices driving elite Olympic endurance cycling success”.
