PhD Scholarship: Advancing Health Equity with the Tracking Cube

This candidate will be part of the Changing Health Systems (CHESS) research group within the School of Applied Psychology. CHESS identifies challenges in the health system and co-design consumer-driven, integrated and holistic solutions that aims to improve care experience and inform best practice. The School of Applied Psychology fosters the research journey of all academic staff and HDR candidates and provide a supportive research environment and culture that optimises productivity and impact.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to join the Tracking Cube Project, an innovative and community-driven initiative designed to improve early identification and support for neurodevelopmental concerns in children.

The primary focus of this role is to explore and evaluate how decision-support tools like the Tracking Cube can promote health equity. This research will help uncover how the tool functions in diverse primary care settings and inform broader systems change to support more responsive, inclusive models of care.

This project includes qualitative and mixed-methods research with families, health professionals, and community partners; and analysis of policy and service delivery contexts.

The position will be primarily based at Griffith University Gold Coast.  As Griffith is a multi-campus University you may be required to work across other campus locations. Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

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 within this role, you will be able to work in a multi-disciplinary research environment. You will have a passion for high impact research, with a strong desire to undertake research that promotes equity in child neurodevelopmental screening, assessment and support.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic applicants only (Australian / New Zealand citizen or Australian PR).  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are  strongly encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with honours equivalent to first-class honours, or a Master’s 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 Policy. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program, refer here.

About the scholarship

The 2026 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $35,656 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers

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).

EOI Process

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• 2 page statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the ‘About you’ section
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names and contact details of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Sunday 19 July 2026 11:59pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor Dianne Shanley

Phone: (07) 5678 8132

Email:  [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Phone: (07) 3735 3817

Email: [email protected]