Small Steps towards dementia risk reduction

About this project

Help promote physical activity in older adults

If you are motivated to build a career in the allied health industry and keen to develop strategies to reduce the risk of dementia, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD with important long-term impact within the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) research centre, in partnership with Onkaparinga City Council and ACH Group. 

Physical activity is a promising strategy to reduce dementia risk in older adults. But we need tools that promote positive behaviour change and provide information about dementia risk. 

We have co-designed the Small Steps intervention which supports older adults at risk of dementia to make healthier choices about physical activity. It also gives them the flexibility to maintain the lifestyle behaviours they cannot or would prefer not to change. This might include, for example, an unavoidable commute or looking after grandchildren.

You will join a dynamic cohort within the ARENA research centre and enjoy peer support from other students working within a similar research area. Working collaboratively to achieve the aims of a larger project, you will have the opportunity to liaise with the wider Small Steps team and potentially undertake an industry placement with our partners. 

The Small Steps team includes researchers from UniSA and Flinders University, and end users from the City of Onkaparinga Council and ACH Group (a large aged care facility in South Australia). 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will be involved in leading large-scale clinical research as part of an interdisciplinary team. As part of your research training, you will undertake data collection within our local council sites. 

Upon completion, you will possess excellent skills in large-scale clinical data collection, good clinical practice, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, advanced statistical modelling and presenting findings.

There are opportunities for you to engage in both national and international conferences, at which you can start to build a strong professional and industry network.  

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in ARENA. We investigate the role of exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle activities in improving clinical and health outcomes. Physical, psychological and sports performance in populations is studied across a wide cross-section of society, ranging from children to elite athletes and people with chronic disease.

Our research focus "Healthy lives through healthy living" centres around the grand challenge of tackling the growing epidemic of chronic diseases. We focus on real-world issues and bring bold ideas to create solutions which optimise health, function and wellbeing.

Our mission is to be the leading Australian voice on a global stage by championing research in exercise, nutrition, preventative health and other lifestyle behaviours across the lifespan. We work with diverse research partners, end-users and our communities to identify and evaluate solutions, and translate these outcomes into products and changes in policy and practice. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum (2025 rate) 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.
 
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. All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project.

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 Monday 25 November 2024.