PhD Scholarship in Cultural Diversity and Global Bioethics (2x positions)

Job No.:699173

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance at current value of $41100AUD per annum 2027 full-time rate (tax-free stipend) indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.

The Opportunity

This PhD scholarship is funded as an important part of an ARC funded project Addressing Cultural Diversity in Healthcare Through Global Bioethics conducted by Dr. Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki.

The project will undertake a comprehensive examination of how bioethics engages with cultural diversity across Australian and global healthcare contexts drawing on a combination of qualitative quantitative and analytical methods.

Two PhD candidates will join the research team and contribute to the broader Australian Research Council Future Fellowship project while developing their own distinct doctoral projects. The precise focus of each PhD is open to negotiation and will be shaped by the candidates interests and expertise. Projects may involve qualitative empirical research quantitative surveys literature-based research conceptual and normative analysis or mixed methods.

Undertaking a PhD as part of this larger project offers several advantages. Successful candidates will join an established ARC-funded research program and have access to project resources supporting research activities. They will receive expert supervision in global and applied bioethics and benefit from an established international network of researchers and bioethics institutions. Candidates will also have opportunities to contribute to broader project outputs including publications policy engagement international collaborations and future research initiatives.

The PhD candidates will be based at the Monash Bioethics Centre at Monash Universitys Clayton campus in Melbourne. Established in 1980 as Australias first research centre devoted to bioethics the Centre is a world-leading hub for bioethics research and education. Its interdisciplinary research addresses major ethical social and policy challenges in healthcare and biomedical science with a strong record of influencing national and international policy and practice. The Monash Bioethics Centre is situated within the School of Philosophical Historical and Indigenous Studies in the Faculty of Arts. This provides candidates with access to a broad interdisciplinary academic environment spanning philosophy bioethics Indigenous studies history and related humanities and social science disciplines. Candidates will join a strong and supportive research culture working alongside internationally recognised scholars and a thriving community of doctoral and early-career researchers while benefiting from the wider intellectual and research opportunities available across the Faculty of Arts and Monash University.

Candidate Requirements

The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record in a relevant discipline such as bioethics health sciences or a related field. They should demonstrate a strong understanding of healthcare practice and clinical environments together with experience or demonstrated capacity in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods including surveys.

In its assessment the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honours or Masters degree (both in a relevant field) with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded.

Details of eligibility requirements including English-language proficiency skills to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.

Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by 1 March 2027. However there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.

Enquiries

Before submitting an application you are required to contact Dr Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki at the Monash Bioethics Centre and provide a CV of no more than three pages and a one-page cover letter. Candidates who appear suitable based on these materials will be contacted directly to arrange a meeting to discuss their proposed research and if appropriate invited to proceed with the formal application process. Please email your CV and cover letter to before submitting an application.

How to Apply

Applications shall comprise:

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicants suitability
• A draft Research Proposalthat fits within the broad project aims and objectives and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
• A detailed curriculum vitae including a list of any published works conference presentations and relevant work experience
• A full statement of academic records degree certificates and official grading system (if available) supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
• Names and contact details of 2 academic referees

Once you have discussed your proposal with Dr. Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki please submit your application via and upload all supporting documentation in pdf format:

• Select Admission Only as the Application Type
• Select Yes to indicate that you are applying for a scholarship for this research and enter PhD Scholarship in Cultural Diversity and Global Bioethics as the scholarship name under Research Program Funding of the application.
• Select Dr Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki as the proposed main supervisor (final supervision arrangements to be confirmed upon appointment).

Applications Close: Monday 9 November 2026 11:55 pm AEST

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