Enterprise PhD Scholarship: Promoting Mental Health in an Elite Sporting Setting

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate for a Flinders PhD Enterprise Scholarship.

This is an exciting project in partnership between Flinders University and Adelaide United Football Club (AUFC). The project will be based in Adelaide, South Australia and will have an industry-based component with AUFC at Hindmarsh Stadium.

This project seeks to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of players at AUFC through mixed methods data collection and education. Surveys and interviews will identify concerns, while seminars raise awareness and build mental health literacy. AUFC aims to lead in prioritising mental health, fostering growth and support for players’ personal and professional development.

The student will be supervised by Professor Murray Drummond and Associate Professor Sam Elliott within the SHAPE Research group.

The 4-year scholarship includes:

• A stipend valued at $172,405 tax free 
  • Year 1 - 2025: $40,000
  • Year 2 - 2026: $42,000
  • Year 3 - 2027: $44,100
  • Year 4 - 2028: $46,305

• a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents.

Ideally, we are seeking a candidate with a background in psychology and/or mental health and wellbeing. However, demonstration of an understanding of social and /or health psychology within sporting contexts will also be considered

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• Be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status;
• And meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
• Be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in semester 1 2026 or earlier.

ADMISSION to HDR

Those who apply for the scholarship opportunity that have not already applied for admission to a relevant HDR must also apply.  Instructions on how to apply for admission can be found here: https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/apply/apply-research-degree/how-to-apply

By lodging this separate application, applicants acknowledge:

• The ‘Supervisor confirmation’ must refer to the application for this scholarship
• The application for PhD admission will only be assessed where:
  • The applicant is successful in being awarded the scholarship