Investigating the costs and benefits of Tobacco Endgame policies in Australia

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to partner with CAHE researchers to support the successful delivery of workstreams within an NHMRC Synergy grant.

The primary focus of this role is to investigate the potential net benefits of the Tobacco Endgame strategies and policies in Australia. This project includes undertaking literature review and cost benefit analyses.

Success in this role requires collaboration with the international consortium, The Interdisciplinary Tobacco Endgame Research Network (INTER-Net).

The successful candidates will be based at either the Nathan or Gold Coast campus of Griffith University.

Scholarship details

At the forefront of an evolving healthcare system, health economists, health services researchers, implementation scientists and biostatisticians at the Centre for Applied Health Economics (CAHE) are conducting multidisciplinary research to deliver leading advice, with significant impact on policy.

The Centre has built an international reputation for leading research with real impact and delivering improved quality of life globally. Presently, with over 35 staff and HDR students, the Centre is led by Professor Josh Byrnes. CAHE brings together significant and diverse expertise and experience in areas including evidence-based medicine, biostatistics, health technology assessment, economic evaluation methods, economic modelling, data management, implementation science and data analytics.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful in this role, you will have evidence of experience/knowledge in health economics and policy research, with a strong desire to undertake research in these areas.


  • Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
  • Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to second class, division A honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

  1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
  2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
  3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

The scholarship is funded as part of the NHMRC Synergy grant and administered through Griffith University.  The scholarship is equivalent to a Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship, which has an annual stipend of $33, 480 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

For project related enquiries please contact:

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor Josh Byrnes


Phone: (07) 3735 9132


Email: j.byrnes@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School



Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to ‘j.byrnes@griffith.edu.au’ containing:

  • A one-page statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template
  • Academic transcript
  • Research proposal demonstrating  alignment with this opportunity
  • Names of Two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm  Friday 10 May 2024

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply on-line.