PhD Scholarship: Call for expressions of interest

The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD scholarship related to an Australian Research Council-funded qualitative sociological research project in the area of performance and image-enhancing drug (PIED) use. The scholarship will be awarded to support a qualitative project focusing on, but not limited to, the following issues:

  • Drugs and body image
  • Drugs and masculinities
  • Drugs in sport and fitness
  • Pharmaceutical drug use

The scholarship project is based in the Social Studies of Addiction Concepts research program at the National Drug Research Institute's Melbourne office. Strengths in the Melbourne office include:

  • Expertise in a range of qualitative methods and cutting edge social theory;
  • Experience in developing policy-relevant high-impact research linked into national and international research, policy and service provision collaborations;
  • Extensive experience in supervising students to successful higher degree completion;
  • Exceptional international reputation for high quality world-leading research;
  • Opportunity to network and collaborate with researchers from other institutions and disciplines, including law, criminology, medicine and policy, and with Australia's leading experts in drug use in society.

The Scholarship

The scholarship will support the overall aims of the ARC-funded project. The successful applicant will collaborate with the chief investigators to identify a suitable thesis project able to contribute to the aims of the larger project while also reflecting the interests and aspirations of the student.

The scholarship carries an annual tax-free stipend starting at $27,082 per year for three years. Students can apply for additional research support funds up to $1,400 per year, and additional opportunities to apply for travel funding also arise from time to time. The scholarship will commence before 30 June 2018 (exact timing is negotiable), and is based at NDRI’s Melbourne office, currently located on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. The PhD candidate may also have access to additional paid work.

The Institute

NDRI is a centre for excellence in alcohol and other drug research and receives core funding from the Australian Government under the Drug and Alcohol Program. It is one of the largest centres of alcohol and other drug research expertise in Australia, employing about 30 research staff in Perth and Melbourne across a range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, epidemiology, psychology and public health. It has a strong national and international profile, and is involved in collaborative research in Australia and overseas.

The Application

The successful applicant will:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian Permanent Resident;
  • Hold or expect to obtain First Class or Upper Second Honours or equivalent results and have experience in sociology, gender studies, anthropology, or a related discipline (e.g. youth studies);
  • Be able to undertake field research (interviews, observation) or other empirical research.

Experience of qualitative research in a relevant field will be highly regarded.

Expressions of interest should comprise a current CV, academic transcripts, and statement of interest comprising a brief description of: 1. relevant research interests and experience; 2. theory, method and approaches of interest (two pages maximum including references).

CV contents:

  • Personal details (name, address, email and phone contact)
  • Citizenship
  • Tertiary (university) qualifications
  • Current study (if applicable)
  • Evidence of research ability and qualifications to undertake a PhD
  • Summary of original research, such as a thesis, dissertation or research project (not coursework essays or assignments);and research methods subjects/units completed
  • Any research employment experience
  • Any research publications, such as in refereed journals, conferences papers, books with original research or research reports in industry
  • Scholarships or awards received, including where and when you received the award
  • Names, position and telephone contacts for two referees who can comment on your research ability. If your application is successful, referees will be asked to submit a written reference to be sent directly to the university.

Academic transcripts:

Please supply a scanned copy of your full academic record comprising transcripts of all tertiary education studies. These should indicate the name of the qualification, the institution of enrolment, the years of study, the subjects/units undertaken, the grades achieved and explanatory notes concerning the grades.

The successful applicant will be required to also submit a formal application for entry into the PhD program at Curtin University.

Applications should be emailed to Professor Suzanne Fraser at: suzanne.fraser@curtin.edu.au

DUE DATE: Monday 16 April 2018

Please consult Curtin University’s guidance on preparing PhD scholarship applications for information about structuring your CV and statement of interest.

For further information contact Professor Suzanne Fraser at suzanne.fraser@curtin.edu.au or Professor David Moore at d.moore@curtin.edu.au.


Posted on: 6 Mar 2018

news list