The development of a comprehensive model to quantify running performance and demands in rugby league using wearable and markerless technologies

Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the South Sydney Rugby League Football Club are offering one full-time PhD scholarship package to undertake applied research examining the running profiles of elite rugby league players.

The project aims to enhance the understanding and development of acceleration and deceleration performance in elite rugby league athletes. The project will integrate multiple advanced technologies to quantify and improve running performance, with a particular focus on movement direction and kinematics. This information will assist in improving performance and minimising injury. The project will quantify external load and movement demands during training and match play. Further, detailed acceleration and deceleration profiles will be assessed under controlled conditions while markerless motion capture will be used to assess running kinematics in a field-based environment. A novel aspect of the project will involve the quantification of movement directionality to better understand the demands of multidirectional movement in rugby league. The outcomes of this research will provide applied insights into the biomechanical and physical demands of rugby league, inform athlete monitoring and training prescription, and contribute to injury prevention strategies. The project will also explore the integration of these technologies into high-performance environments, offering practical frameworks for their use in elite sport.

How to apply

Applications close: Friday 19 December 2025, 11:59 pm AEDT

Eligibility

• 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:

• hold a First-Class Honours degree or Master-by-research/coursework or have demonstrated research and practical experience in any of the following fields: exercise science, high-performance sport, strength and conditioning, sports science, or sports medicine
• demonstrate prior research experience, preferably of an applied nature, with a track record of peer-review conference presentations or publications
• demonstrate knowledge and skills in the conduct of quantitative research techniques, including data collection, management and analysis skills, and integration of emerging sports science technologies
• demonstrate practical skills within sport science and / or strength and conditioning
• have the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary high-performance team
• demonstrate high-level communication and interpersonal skills
• have previous experience in professional sport and / or rugby league (desirable).

Application process

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 stipend scholarship and include the name of this project "The development of a comprehensive model to quantify running performance and demands in rugby league using wearable and markerless technologies".

Before you apply

Interested candidates should contact Assoc Prof Grant Duthie before applying for the PhD program and scholarship.

grant.duthie@acu.edu.au