The formation and shaping of young women's beliefs about pelvic pain?

About the project? 

Break down barriers to effective pelvic pain management? 

If you are looking to launch your career in allied health and are passionate about improving women’s health, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within IIMPACT in Health (IIMPACT).? 

This project focuses on understanding why women with pelvic pain tend to perceive their pain as being caused by biomedical factors. It also addresses the concern that this misunderstanding can act as a barrier to effective pain management, leading women to delay seeking help or pursue ineffective, passive treatments.? 

Understanding how these beliefs about pelvic pain develop in young adult women is a crucial first step in identifying strategies to counter incorrect or unhelpful perceptions, or to foster the development of more accurate, constructive beliefs.? 

By undertaking this project, you will benefit from access to and support from the Innovation Implementation and Clinical Translation in Health (IIMPACT in Health) team and The Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre.?You will be placed within the Body in Mind Research Group, working alongside other PhD students and researchers in the lab.? 

Our lab hosts a highly supportive work environment that fosters open communication, collaboration and work-life balance. We hold weekly lunches and monthly journal clubs in a collegial and collaborative environment. You will also have opportunities to get involved in related research from within the group.? 

Our project supervisors have several international and national collaborators across different fields, and you will be given opportunities to travel, connect and work with global experts during your studies.? 

Engagement with industry, via our ongoing collaborations with EndoZone (at the University of Adelaide), the Pelvic Pain Foundation and Endometriosis Australia, will provide you with valuable hands-on industry experience and knowledge, providing you with a competitive edge in the job market.?? 

What you’ll do? 

In this project-based research degree, you will be expected to design studies, review relevant literature and manage and analyse all data.?? 

Data collection will involve quantitative data collection via surveys and qualitative data via focus groups with young women with pelvic pain. The supervisory team will provide a positive environment in which you can gain confidence in data collection techniques.?? 

We will support you to lead the communication of results via journal articles, conference presentations, and industry publications. There may be opportunities to travel and present associated work at national/international conferences and undertake an industry-related placement.? 

Where you’ll be based? 

You will be based in IIMPACT in Health. Persistent pain, stroke recovery, persistent breathlessness, child health and the rural health inequity are now recognised as grand health challenges. They are multifactorial and complex. Solving them will require innovation, collaboration and whole of community involvement.? 

IIMPACT in Health brings together internationally renowned research groups intent on understanding and solving real-world problems and fast-tracking our discoveries to bring about effective and sustainable improvements in health outcomes. Financial Support  

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 (2025 rate) per annum is available to eligible applicants. 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 for domestic students or international students.

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to application from both Domestic and International applicants.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. Additionally applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• completion of a health or education focused degree
• experience in working with young adults (aged 18-26), women, and people with chronic health conditions (pelvic pain preferred)

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 east 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 Thursday, 5 December.