Professor Paul Hodges
Professor

Paul Hodges

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52008

Background

Paul W. Hodges DSc MedDr PhD BPhty(Hons) FAA FACP APAM(Hon) is an National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Fellow (Level 3), Professor and Director of the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR) at The University of Queensland (UQ). He is lead chief investigator on an NHMRC Synergy Grant that includes colleagues from the Universities of Queensland, Adelaide and South Australia, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Paul is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, which is a Fellowship of the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for outstanding research that has pushed back the frontiers of knowledge. He is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science, and was made an Honoured member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, their highest honour.

Paul is a recognised world leader in movement control, pain and rehabilitation. His unique comprehensive research approach from molecular biology to brain physiology and human function has led to discoveries that have transformed understanding of why people move differently in pain. His innovative research has also led to discoveries of changes in neuromuscular function across a diverse range of conditions from incontinence to breathing disorders. These observations have been translated into effective treatments that have been tested and implemented internationally.

Paul has received numerous national and international research awards that span basic and clinical science. These include the premier international award for spine research (ISSLS Prize) on five occasions; three times in Basic Science (2006, 2011, 2019) and twice in Clinical Science (2018, 2021). International awards in basic science include the SusanneKlein-Vogelbach Award (2010) and the Delsys Prize for Innovation in Electromyography (2009). National medical research awards include the NHMRC Achievement Award (2011). He has also received national community-based leadership awards including the Young Australian of the Year Award in Science and Technology (1997), Future Summit Australian Leadership Award (2010), and Emerging Leader Award (Next 100 Awards, 2009).

Paul is the Chair of the Terminology Task Force for the International Association for the Study of Pain, Chair of the Consensus for Experimental Design in Electromypgraphy for the International Society for Electrophysiology and Kinesiology and has been the Chair/Co-Chair for several major international conferences. He has led major international consortia to bring together leaders from multiple disciplines to understand pain.

Availability

Professor Paul Hodges is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Biomechanics Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Health Sciences Motor control Neurosciences Pain Sports science and exercise

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Karolinska Mediko Kirurgiska Institutet
  • Doctoral Diploma of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Pain

    Matching the right patient to the right treatment at the right time Discrimination between pain mechanisms Rehabilitation of pain

  • Motor control

  • Rehabilitation

  • Continence

  • Low back pain

Research impacts

Paul has four doctorates; one in Physiotherapy (Uni Qld), two in Neuroscience (Karolinska Inst, Uni Qld) and an honorary doctorate in Medicine (Ghent Uni). His work aims to blend these skills to understand the mechanisms underpinning pain and movement, and use that knowledge to develop and refine interventions. His diverse expertise enables him to solve complex problems using a comprehensive multi-scale approach from molecular biology to brain physiology and human function, using innovative experimental methods. His comprehensive research approach has led to discoveries that have transformed understanding of why people move differently in pain. Translation of this work into treatments for people in pain have changed rehabilitation and improved outcomes, particularly for back pain; the world’s leading cause of disability. In addition to his work in pain his unique approach has led to breakthroughs in other areas such as management of continence and breathing disorders.

Search Professor Paul Hodges’s works on UQ eSpace

752 works between 1993 and 2025
All (752) Journal Article (585) Book Chapter (30) Conference Publication (124) Book (4) Other Outputs (8) Edited Outputs (1)

441 - 460 of 752 works

2011

Journal Article

The effect of pain on training-induced plasticity of the corticomotor system

Ingham, Damian, Tucker, Kylie J., Tsao, Henry and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). The effect of pain on training-induced plasticity of the corticomotor system. European Journal of Pain, 15 (10), 1028-1034. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.04.006

The effect of pain on training-induced plasticity of the corticomotor system

2011

Journal Article

Reliability and discriminatory capacity of a clinical scale for assessing abdominal muscle coordination

Pinto, Rafael Z., Franco, Heitor R., Ferreira, Paulo H., Ferreira, Manuela L., Franco, Marcia R. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Reliability and discriminatory capacity of a clinical scale for assessing abdominal muscle coordination. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34 (8), 562-569. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.08.003

Reliability and discriminatory capacity of a clinical scale for assessing abdominal muscle coordination

2011

Journal Article

Discriminative and reliability analyses of ultrasound measurement of abdominal muscles recruitment

Ferreira, Paulo H., Ferreira, Manuela L., Nascimento, Dafne P., Pinto, Rafael Z., Franco, Marcia R. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Discriminative and reliability analyses of ultrasound measurement of abdominal muscles recruitment. Manual Therapy, 16 (5), 463-469. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2011.02.010

Discriminative and reliability analyses of ultrasound measurement of abdominal muscles recruitment

2011

Journal Article

ISSLS Prize Winner: Smudging the Motor Brain in Young Adults With Recurrent Low Back Pain

Tsao, Henry, Danneels, Lieven A. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). ISSLS Prize Winner: Smudging the Motor Brain in Young Adults With Recurrent Low Back Pain. Spine, 36 (21), 1721-1727. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31821c4267

ISSLS Prize Winner: Smudging the Motor Brain in Young Adults With Recurrent Low Back Pain

2011

Journal Article

Exercise and osteoarthritis: Cause and effects

Bennell, Kim, Hinman, Rana S., Wrigley, Tim V., Creaby, Mark W. and Hodges, Paul (2011). Exercise and osteoarthritis: Cause and effects. Comprehensive Physiology, 1 (4), 1943-2008. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c100057

Exercise and osteoarthritis: Cause and effects

2011

Journal Article

Corticospinal excitability is dependent on the parameters of peripheral electrical stimulation: a preliminary study

Chipchase, Lucy S., Schabrun, Siobhan M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Corticospinal excitability is dependent on the parameters of peripheral electrical stimulation: a preliminary study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92 (9), 1423-1430. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.01.011

Corticospinal excitability is dependent on the parameters of peripheral electrical stimulation: a preliminary study

2011

Journal Article

Individual fascicles of the paraspinal muscles are activated by discrete cortical networks in humans

Tsao, Henry, Danneels, Lieven and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Individual fascicles of the paraspinal muscles are activated by discrete cortical networks in humans. Clinical Neurophysiology, 122 (8), 1580-1587. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.01.048

Individual fascicles of the paraspinal muscles are activated by discrete cortical networks in humans

2011

Journal Article

Fear of movement, passive coping, manual handling, and severe or radiating pain increase the likelihood of sick leave due to low back pain

Dawson, Anna P., Schluter, Philip J., Hodges, Paul W., Stewart, Simon and Turner, Catherine (2011). Fear of movement, passive coping, manual handling, and severe or radiating pain increase the likelihood of sick leave due to low back pain. Pain, 152 (7), 1517-1524. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.02.041

Fear of movement, passive coping, manual handling, and severe or radiating pain increase the likelihood of sick leave due to low back pain

2011

Journal Article

Changes in excitability of corticomotor inputs to the trunk muscles during experimentally-induced acute low back pain

Tsao, H., Tucker, K. J. and Hodges, P. W. (2011). Changes in excitability of corticomotor inputs to the trunk muscles during experimentally-induced acute low back pain. Neuroscience, 181, 127-133. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.02.033

Changes in excitability of corticomotor inputs to the trunk muscles during experimentally-induced acute low back pain

2011

Journal Article

Postural recovery following voluntary arm movement is impaired in people with chronic low back pain

Mok, Nicola W., Brauer, Sandra G. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Postural recovery following voluntary arm movement is impaired in people with chronic low back pain. Gait and Posture, 34 (1), 97-102. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.03.021

Postural recovery following voluntary arm movement is impaired in people with chronic low back pain

2011

Journal Article

Is the psoas a hip flexor in the active straight leg raise?

Hu, Hai, Meijer, Onno G, van Dieën, Jaap H, Hodges, Paul, Bruijn, Sjoerd M, Strijers, Rob L, Nanayakkara, Prabath W B, van Royen, Barend J, Wu, Wen Hua and Xia, Chun (2011). Is the psoas a hip flexor in the active straight leg raise?. European Spine Journal, 20 (5), 759-765. doi: 10.1007/s00586-010-1508-5

Is the psoas a hip flexor in the active straight leg raise?

2011

Journal Article

Pain and motor control: From the laboratory to rehabilitation

Hodges, P. W. (2011). Pain and motor control: From the laboratory to rehabilitation. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 21 (2), 220-228. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2011.01.002

Pain and motor control: From the laboratory to rehabilitation

2011

Journal Article

En bloc control of deep and superficial thoracic muscles in sagittal loading and unloading of the trunk

Lee, Linda-Joy, Coppieters, Michel W. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). En bloc control of deep and superficial thoracic muscles in sagittal loading and unloading of the trunk. Gait and Posture, 33 (4), 588-593. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.01.014

En bloc control of deep and superficial thoracic muscles in sagittal loading and unloading of the trunk

2011

Journal Article

Peripheral electrical stimulation to induce cortical plasticity: A systematic review of stimulus parameters

Chipchase, L. S., Schabrun, S. M. and Hodges, P. W. (2011). Peripheral electrical stimulation to induce cortical plasticity: A systematic review of stimulus parameters. Clinical Neurophysiology, 122 (3), 456-463. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2010.07.025

Peripheral electrical stimulation to induce cortical plasticity: A systematic review of stimulus parameters

2011

Journal Article

Moving differently in pain: A new theory to explain the adaptation to pain

Hodges, Paul W. and Tucker, Kylie (2011). Moving differently in pain: A new theory to explain the adaptation to pain. Pain, 152 (3, Suppl. 1), s90-s98. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.020

Moving differently in pain: A new theory to explain the adaptation to pain

2011

Journal Article

Behavior of the lumbar multifidus during lower extremity movements in people with recurrent low back pain during symptom remission

Macdonald, David A., Dawson, Anna P. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Behavior of the lumbar multifidus during lower extremity movements in people with recurrent low back pain during symptom remission. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 41 (3), 155-164. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.3410

Behavior of the lumbar multifidus during lower extremity movements in people with recurrent low back pain during symptom remission

2011

Journal Article

Changes in lumbar movement in people with low back pain are related to compromised balance

Mok, Nicola W., Brauer, Sandra G. and Hodges, Paul W. (2011). Changes in lumbar movement in people with low back pain are related to compromised balance. Spine, 36 (1), E45-E52. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181dfce83

Changes in lumbar movement in people with low back pain are related to compromised balance

2011

Conference Publication

Voluntary activation declines rapidly during pelvic floor muscle fatigue

Schabrun, S., Stafford, R. and Hodges, P. (2011). Voluntary activation declines rapidly during pelvic floor muscle fatigue. World congress on Physical Therapy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 20 - 23rd June 2011. Oxford, England, U. K.: Elseiver. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2011.04.002

Voluntary activation declines rapidly during pelvic floor muscle fatigue

2011

Conference Publication

The effect of electrical stimulation on excitability of the corticomotor pathway

Chipchase, L., Schabrun, S. M. and Hodges, P. W. (2011). The effect of electrical stimulation on excitability of the corticomotor pathway. World Physical Therapy 2011, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 20-23 June 2011. Elsevier.

The effect of electrical stimulation on excitability of the corticomotor pathway

2011

Conference Publication

Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with different trunk and hip tasks and spinal curvatures in sitting

Park, Rachel, Tsao, Henry, Claus, Andrew, Cresswell, Andrew and Hodges, Paul (2011). Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with different trunk and hip tasks and spinal curvatures in sitting. XXIIIrd Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Brussels, Belgium, 3-7 July 2011.

Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with different trunk and hip tasks and spinal curvatures in sitting

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    A quantum exoGarment for unrivalled measurement of muscle function in sport
    Quantum 2032 Challenge Program
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Comparative effectiveness of exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, and their combination for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor sleep
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    DISCERN - Disciplinary Integration to Solve the Enigma of Chronic Pain: Evaluating Personalised Care and its Impact with Innovative Clinical Trials and Research in Neurobiology, Psychology and Society
    NHMRC Synergy Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    PRioRTI: PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury
    NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    The clinical and cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with persistent, severe low back pain: FusiOn veRsus bEst coNServative Care (the FORENSIC trial)
    NHMRC-National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network (NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence Grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed?
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    From understanding the mechanisms to implementing conservative management of musculoskeletal conditions
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics (ITRP led by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Planting the CEDE: Co-designing and co-developing knowledge translation strategies to implement current expert-based rec
    UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Assessing the impact of targeted multifidus activation, using Reactiv8, on its structure in a model of low back pain
    Mainstay Medical Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Understanding the effects of heavy weightlifting on pelvic organ support in vaginally parous premenopausal women: a cross-sectional study
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Understanding Acute to Chronic Back Pain Pathways and Testing New Solutions
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Structural and neural determinants of stress and strain in human muscle
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Improving delivery of the biopsychosocial approach: enhancing low back pain healthcare practice.
    Arthritis Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    The role of neuroimmune response on sensorimotor function in different classes of chronic low back pain
    The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Targeted pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised controlled trial with embedded physiological studies
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Translating low back pain research: Identifying potential hidden harms in health messaging
    Arthritis Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    "MyBackPain": An innovative consumer focused website for low back pain
    Medibank Private Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Efficacy of a state-of-the-art pelvic floor muscle training program on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised clinical trial with embedded physiological studies
    Physiotherapy Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Musculoskeletal pain and disability: improving outcomes through conservative interventions
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Physiology and pathophysiology of disorders of the musculoskelatal system
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Muscle function in people with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
    Queensland Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Network
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Centre of Research Excellence in Translation of Research into Improved OUtcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain & Health (CRE TRIUMPH) (NHMRC CRE administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Using fine wire electromyography for the assessment of lumbopelvic muscle function of individuals when exercising on the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device (FRED)
    University of Northumbria at Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Insight into the motor adaptation to musculoskeletal pain
    RL Cooper Medical Research Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Quantification of muscle mechanical properties by an innovative shear wave elastographic technique for basic and clinical science.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Gait analysis for clinical research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Urinary continence and incontinence in men: New insight through new technologies
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    A virtual environment for the study of multisensory learning, adaptation and control
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Musculoskeletal pain, injury and health: improving outcomes through conservative management
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Neuro-navigation for basic and clinical research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SPRF): Physiology and pathophysiology of disorders of the musculoskeletal system
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Priming the brain to learn
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Why do people keep hurting their back: A longitudinal study of biological, psychological and social predictors
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Reconsideration of the motor adaptation to pain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    A 3.0 Tesla MRI system for human cognitive neuroscience research
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Clinical efficacy and physiological mechanisms of nerve and tendon gliding exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008
    State of the art wireless electromyography system for clinical research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Reducing knee load and slowing disease progression with conservative interventions in knee osteoarthritis
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Which exercise for chronic low back pain? (NHMRC Project Grant administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    An investigation of the differential control of the cervical extensor muscles during active and automatic cervical extension tasks
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    CCRE in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health
    NHMRC Centres of Clinical Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Dynamic postural stability and falls prediction in older people during walking in real-world environments
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2007
    State-of-the-art Three Dimensional Movement Analysis System
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The contribution of dopamine to regulation of orofacial, limb and trunk control: System or function specific effects?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007
    UQ Travel Award - Paul Hodges
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Physiology and Epidemiology of changes in muscle size and activity measured with ultrasound imaging in low back pain
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Neuromuscular adaptations to training, cross training and passive physical interventions: A neurophysiological approach to understanding human performance and musculoskeletal injury
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Competing demands on the axial muscles: Effects, consequences, compensations and mechanisms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Low Back Pain In Nurses: Investigating Causes in order to identify a solution
    Queensland Nursing Council
    Open grant
  • 2006
    NHMRC_Infrastructure Item_Pedar-x/Expert System: Portable in-shoe measuring pedography system
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Pain and trunk muscle control: Effects, mechanisms and consequences
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2010
    PRINCIPAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Coordination of competing demands on the trunk muscles: Consequence compensation and mechanism
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Ultrasound Imaging for Musculoskeletal Research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Electromyography (EMG) Amplifier
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    NHMRC Senior Research Fellow
    NHMRC Fellowship Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Physiological Mechanisms Of Efficacy Of Cervical Flexor Muscle Retraining
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Task Conflict as a Risk Factor for Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Postural compensation for respiration: A physiological factor in low back pain
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2005
    NHMRC SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    NHMRC Fellowship Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2005
    Physiology and pathophysiology of trunk control mechanisms
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Investigations into the neuromotor control of background stabilisation of the trunk during voluntary limb movement
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paul Hodges is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Measurement and rehabilitation of the shoulder and upper limb

    We are seeking up to two PhD candidates eligible for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship, Australia to undertake a PhD in the area of measurement of upper limb motion and use. The project is part of an Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and led by researchers at Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland. The centre aims to advance personalised surgical treatment of joints by integrating computer tools for pre-surgical planning and decision making, computer simulation systems and robot simulators for surgical training. Understanding the effectiveness of these treatments requires assessment and analysis of functional movements in clinical and real-world environments. The successful PhD candidate will use new sensor and/or robotic assessment technologies in conjunction with advanced motion capture systems to record shoulder and upper limb functional movements.

    Project areas include:

    • developing novel movement & muscle function assessments for the shoulder & upper limb;

    • examining functional movements in people with shoulder or upper limb dysfunction or injury;

    • developing new wearable & robotic technologies to optimise upper limb functional movement;

    • developing new virtual / augmented reality technologies for rehabilitation.

    The project requires a background in movement science, biomechanics, biomedical engineering or a related discipline. Experience in 3D motion analysis and electromyography is highly desirable.

    The PhD student will be supervised by a team that may include Prof Paul Hodges, Prof Sandra Brauer, Dr Alejandro Melendez-Calderon, Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo, Prof Graham Kerr. The PhD students will work in the labs of the UQ Professors as part of an interdisciplinary team with skills spanning rehabilitation, imaging, neurophysiology, physiology, motor control, biomechanics, and computational modelling. The student will collaborate with other students and researchers at Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland and Neuroscience Research Aust.

    Eligible candidates will be supported to apply for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship that provides a 3-year scholarship (with possible extension for 6 months if required) at a rate of $28,597 p.a. tax free. An additional top up of $8,000 p.a. tax free, will be provided for these projects. Due to international border restrictions, this opportunity is most suitable for onshore applicants.

    Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in movement science, biomechanics, physiotherapy, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; knowledge of 3D motion analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.

    Desirable criteria: Experience in rehabilitation science; biomechanics, and muscle physiology.

  • Real world measurement of spine and body movement

    We are seeking a PhD student with a background in biomedical engineering and/or biomechanics to join our team to contribute to a body of work that aims to analyse movement of the spine and body in the real world. Projects will relate to measurement and analysis of movement to understand the relationship between movement and low back pain and to guide treatment.

    Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in movement science, biomechanics, physiotherapy, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; knowledge of 3D motion analysis; experience with Matlab for data analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.

  • Applying new methods to understand pelvic floor function in men and women

    We are seeking a PhD student with a background in biomedical engineering and/or biomechanics to join our team to work with our team to study the mechanisms of continence in men and women. We aim to apply new imaging methods and image analysis to better understand how continence is maintained and how this is impacted by surgery (e.g. prostatectomy in men) and ageing. The work will involve a multidisciplinary team to address this challenging issue.

    Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in movement science, biomechanics, physiotherapy, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; experience with Matlab for data analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Hodges directly for media enquiries about:

  • back pain
  • balance control
  • Electromyography
  • motor control
  • Multifidus
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • nociplastic pain
  • Pain
  • rehabilitation
  • Spine control
  • Ultrasound imaging

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