What you'll investigate

The successful applicant will work on projects investigating supporting people with type 2 diabetes and how Allied Health support can improve clinical and psychosocial outcomes. The  PhD project will likely include, but not be limted to, focus groups and/or workshops, developing a screening tool using emerging technology and qualitative experiences of living with T2D.

The PhD candidate will work collaboratively with a research team including Dr Evelyn Parr (ACU, Mary MacKillop Institute of Health Research), Associate Professor Adrienne Forsyth (ACU, Nutrition and Dietetics), Dr Ashley Ng (Monash University, Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation), Dr Brooke Devlin (University of Queensland, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences) and the ACU Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

Opportunities for collaborative publishing and conference attendance will be facilitated. End user engagement will also be involved.

Please note: The successful applicant will be required to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU as a condition of enrolment.

Scholarship package

The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:

* International candidates only

Your research community

Principal supervisor

Dr Evelyn Parr

Dr Evelyn Parr investigates dietary and exercise strategies for manaing type 2 diabetes and obesity, with a particular focus on how increasing support can improve both physiological and psychosocial outcomes.

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Faculty 

Faculty of Health Sciences

Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences is driven by a commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing evidence-based practice across diverse communities. With a strong interdisciplinary focus, our researchers collaborate across nursing, allied health, public health, and biomedical sciences to address pressing health challenges locally and globally.

Visit the faculty research website  

School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

The School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at ACU offers a range of courses designed to improve health outcomes and enhance the performance of elite athletes. The School of Behavioural and Health Sciences conducts researching focusing on sport science, injury prevention, psychology, elite athlete preparation, and clinical applications of exercise in health, chronic disease, and rehabilitation. Our staff are involved in various, cross-disciplinary research projects that utilise our first-class facilities and extensive industry partner network.

Visit the School’s website

Affiliation

Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research

Centre for Human Metabolism and Performance

The Centre for Human Metabolism and Performance (CHaMP) performs research directed at maximising health benefits of both diet and exercise using a holistic approach that considers molecular, cellular and whole-body physiology.

Visit the CHaMP website

Industry partner

This research project will include engagement with external advocacy partners, including, but not exlcusive with, the Australian Diabetes Educator Association.

How to apply

Applications close: Tuesday 24 November 2026, 11:59 pm AEDT

Step 1: Assess your eligibility

Eligibility

Before you apply, confirm you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• This opportunity is open to domestic and international applicants.
• The eligibility criteria for the PhD program at ACU can be found in the Higher Degree Research Policy.
• The eligibility criteria for research scholarships can be found in the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.

Requirements

In addition to the eligibility criteria, the successful applicant should have:

• experience, or aligned knowledge, of research involving people with diabetes and related non-comunicable diseases.
• experience in Allied Health.
• a strong interest in consumer engaged research.

Conditions

By applying, you acknowledge and accept the following conditions:

• The scholarship package is subject to satisfactory progress and full-time study mode.
• The scholarship conditions align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.
• The successful applicant will be required to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU as a condition of enrolment.

Step 2: Express your interest

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Evelyn Parr prior to applying for the PhD program and scholarship, to express their interest and discuss the project in detail.

Email: [email protected]

Step 3: Submit your application

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit all documentation required for an application to the PhD program at ACU, as detailed in the How to Apply instructions, plus:

• A CV outlining relevant academic and practical experience; and
• A cover letter detailing demonstrated interest and/or experience in the program of research described.

When completing the PhD application form, please indicate that you are also applying for a scholarship-support project scholarship and include the name of this project: "Exploring virtual Allied Health care for people with type 2 diabetes".