Evaluation of a digital clinical decision support system to support clinical translation of precision medicine

About the project

Develop innovative precision medicine processes in a clinical setting 

If you are motivated to launch your career in the pharmaceutical industry and keen to improve precision medicine outcomes, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre (QUMPRC), in partnership with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, HeartAI and SA Pharmacy.

We know that individualised treatment (i.e. precision medicine) has the potential to transform healthcare, yet it has not been widely adopted in clinical practice as yet.

Through mathematical modelling methods, computational approaches are now able to predict individual drug requirements more accurately than ever before. Whilst these pharmacometric models are now embedded as part of the drug development process, we now have an opportunity to translate this approach to a clinical setting to facilitate precision medicine.

To enable effective clinical implementation of computer-guided precision medicine, our project will use quantitative and qualitative methods to develop a clinical decision support system (CDSS) which can address existing technical barriers and resource limitations and cohesively integrate within clinical workflows.

Leveraging capabilities enabled through the deployment of HeartAI technologies, we have the capability to operationalise and seamlessly implement the CDSS functionality within the SA Health ecosystem.

The overarching aim of our project is to evaluate the translation of precision medicine in a clinical setting through the use of the CDSS.

You will be based within the QUMPRC. The Centre offers you access to worldclass equipment, facilities and resources. You will become part of a collegial and highly connected research group and receive mentorship from thought leaders in their fields.  

Our project will be conducted in collaboration with end-users within SA Health, ensuring that the project is clinically relevant and that outcomes will directly inform clinical guidelines for medication use, positively impacting on patient care. Your hands-on, industry relevant experience will give you a competitive edge in the employment market.

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will help evaluate the impact of the CDSS on patient outcomes using a pre-/post-study design. This will include attaining established therapeutic targets, and indices of efficacy and toxicity.

You will then be guided to assess the economic impact of the implementation of the CDSS in clinical practice. The aim is to identify additional factors that inform treatment success, to support further development of the CDSS.

We will support you to disseminate the project findings through journal articles and conference presentations to relevant scientific and medical communities. This will help you to build your communication and networking skills and establish a professional platform.

Where you’ll be based 

You will be based in QUMPRC. We specialise in improving use of medicines. Research within the Centre ranges from large-scale data analysis, to the translation of evidence into policy and practice.

We work with consumers, health professionals and organisations, ensuring the advanced technologies and methods developed within the centre, find their way into policy and practice to improve patient lives.

Our research focuses on 6 key areas: medicines safety, optimising medicine use, digital health, pharmacy practice, Aboriginal traditional medicines, and evidence translation and policy. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• An undergraduate degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology or related discipline, with a solid understanding of pharmacokinetics.

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City East campus in the heart of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 21 May, 2025.