National Industry PhD Program

James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland, Australia) is recruiting a PhD candidate for an industry-linked project with Racing Queensland focused on improving health, fatigue management, and performance in horse racing jockeys and apprentices.

This is a National Industry PhD Program opportunity with direct collaboration between James Cook University and Racing Queensland, offering embedded industry experience in South-East Queensland while being enrolled at JCU. The project sits at the intersection of sport science, athlete health, applied research, and policy translation, with strong real-world impact across elite sport and high-performance environments.

Funding includes an approximately $36,500 tax-free stipend per year, a $17,135 top-up stipend per year, full tuition fee coverage, and travel plus fieldwork support across Queensland.

Applicants should have an Honours or master's research background in Sport & Exercise Science or a similar area. Experience with athlete testing and strength and conditioning is preferred, along with a strong interest in applied, industry-focused research. Bonus experience includes working with high-risk or weight-sensitive athletes, data analysis in R/SPSS/Jamovi, and applied sport science in real-world settings.

Supervision and collaboration involve Anthony Leicht, Dr Leesa Grier, Dr Jonathan Connor, and Racing Queensland (Brisbane/Gold Coast). The closing date is 2026-07-23.

To apply or enquire, send a CV and short cover letter to [email protected] or phone (07) 47814576.