Job Description

Job Overview

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Job No.: 694169. Location: Peninsula campus. Employment type: Full-time (or part-time by arrangement). Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment. Supervisory team: Dr Em Bould (Main Supervisor). The successful candidate will be supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in human‐animal interaction, disability, healthy ageing, and social inclusion. Refer to Dr Em Bould's profile for more information.

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Remuneration

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A PhD annual stipend for 3.5 years of full‐time PhD enrolment ($37,145 per annum for 2026 rate). The stipend rate is indexed annually and published on the Monash University Graduate Research Stipend and Allowance Rates website.

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- School of Primary and Allied Health Care HDR Support Fund of up to $4,000 for the duration of candidature
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- Monash Graduate Research Travel Grant
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The Opportunity

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This PhD stipend scholarship offers a unique prospect for a talented candidate to define their own research direction within the field of human‐animal interactions. We are looking for cutting-edge thinkers from any discipline (e.g., Allied Health, Social Sciences, Education) who are passionate about how pets and animal‐assisted activities can facilitate social inclusion and health outcomes.

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The PhD Project

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This scholarship invites applicants to propose their own research program. Your proposal should build upon or take inspiration from Dr Em Bould's established work in animal‐assisted activities, such as:

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- Dog Buddies:



A program using dog‐walking to foster community inclusion for people with cognitive disabilities.
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- Pets and People Program: Using a shared interest in pets to build connections between older adults living in aged care and international university students.
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We encourage creative, interdisciplinary approaches. For instance, current collaborators in speech pathology adapted the Dog Buddies concept into "Fetching Connections" – an intervention integrating dog‐walking with traditional speech therapy to enhance communication. Applicants are required to submit a brief research proposal outlining their area of interest and how they intend to advance knowledge in human‐animal supports.

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Selection Criteria

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- An Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status.
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- A bachelor's degree of at least four years in a relevant discipline, which includes a research thesis or project, with a minimum overall average grade of an Honours degree equivalent to the First Class Honours Division A.
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- A master's degree in a relevant discipline which includes a research thesis or project equivalent to at least 25 percent of one year of full‐time study,



with a minimum overall average grade of honours equivalent to the First Class Honours Division A.
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- A qualification, or combination of qualifications and relevant professional or research experience, deemed equivalent by the Graduate Research Committee (or delegate).
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- Preferably, be available to commence as a full‐time PhD candidate in Q4 2026 (or by arrangement).
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- Demonstrate strong interest in animal‐assisted interventions, social inclusion, and/or healthy ageing.
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- Experience in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed‐methods research.
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Application Process

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Stage 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Dr Em Bould, [email protected]. Candidates should include the following when submitting an EOI:

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- Cover Letter (max 500 words): Detailing your suitability and interest in this area.
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- Research Proposal (max 2000 words, not including references): An outline of your proposed PhD direction, including a title, research context/rationale, aims, methods, and significance.
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- Curriculum vitae, including a list of any peer‐reviewed publications, conference presentations and relevant work and/or research experience.
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- Scanned copies of academic transcripts.
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- Contact details of two academic and/or clinical referees, at least one of whom must be an academic referee.
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Stage 2: The candidate whose EOI in Stage 1 is successful will be invited to submit a full application for Monash PhD candidature.

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Contact

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Dr Em Bould, [email protected]

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📌 PhD Stipend Scholarship - School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University (Human-An[...] (Victoria)
🏢 Monash University
📍 Victoria