This project aims to develop and apply artificial intelligence and causal inference techniques to the analysis of routinely collected clinical and administrative health datasets. The student will investigate treatment effectiveness and health outcomes such as progression-free survival and quality of life, using real-world data to support clinical and policy decisions. The student will gain advanced skills in causal machine learning, health data analytics, and interdisciplinary research at the interface of data science and healthcare.

Successful applicants will be supported to apply for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship, which provides a tax-free stipend (currently $38,154 per annum in 2025), tuition fee offset for the duration of the program, and a potential relocation allowance. Additional project support or top-up funding may be available for exceptional candidates. CHOIR offers access to leading supervisors, interdisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities to engage with clinical and policy partners throughout the PhD journey.

We welcome applications from students with a background in computer science, biomedical informatics, statistics, health economics, or related fields who have completed the equivalent of an Australian Honours degree with First Class Honours or a Master’s degree with a research component. Strong programming skills (e.g., Python or R), an interest in health data, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment are desirable. Experience with clinical trials, health administrative data, or economic modelling will be considered an advantage but is not essential.

Applicants should send their CV and most recent academic transcript to Associate Professor Nhung Nghiem at nhung.nghiem@anu.edu.au and the program administrator at jcsmr.hdr.sa@anu.edu.au.

To check your eligibility and for more information about how to apply please visit this page. For more information on ANU PhD program please click here and JCSMR PhD here.

To learn more about research at the John Curtin School of Medical Research and CHOIR, please visit the CHOIR website at https://jcsmr.anu.edu.au/research/centres/choir. You can also follow the ANU College of Science and Medicine on social media for updates on research, events, and student life at https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events.