Developing Support Strategies to Increase Engagement, Health and Performance of Runners in Partnership with the We Run Foundation and Sydney Marathon

This industry linked PhD scholarship opportunity has been developed in partnership between the School of Health Sciences at UNSW and the We Run Foundation, Sydney Marathon, and Pont3. The candidate will have a dual role as a PhD student in the School of Health Sciences while also contributing to running-related engagement events with the We Run Foundation. The candidate will have support of all organisations and be able leverage the partnerships to develop specific research questions that algin with strategic priorities. The candidate must have an interest in engagement, health and performance for runners in an Australian context. 

The research project will investigate the training and competition demands of Sydney Runners who are engaged with Run Clubs and/or preparing for the Sydney Marathon. Subsequent opportunities to develop support strategies for priority under-represented running populations to increase engagement, health and performance can also be investigated. There are opportunities for multiple candidates under this project. 

The successful candidate will need to meet the both the UNSW academic and We Run Foundation expectations. As an applicant you should have experience either in exercise science (or other relevant health science) or health behaviour change and an interest in running engagement, health and performance. Candidates must have completed either a Master by Research or relevant Honours degree (Class 1 or 2A), and have evidence of excellent research, analytical, project management oral and written communication skills. A demonstrated ability to disseminate research findings (e.g., peer-reviewed publications) is preferred. The preferred candidate will be supported through the application process by the research team at UNSW.

Scholarship

• $15,000 per annum top up scholarship for living expenses
• The successful candidate will apply for a RTP stipend valued at $39,206 per annum (indexed, 2026 rate)

Eligibility

Domestic, International, PhD only.

How to apply

Applicants are to send an up to date CV, and a 300 word cover letter describing why they are applying and how they meet the research criteria  to Nattai Borges (nattai.borges@unsw.edu.au). If approved for the top up scholarship, the successful applicant would need to apply for an RTP stipend when they submit their application for admission to the PhD program at UNSW.