The Centre for Governance & Public Policy  is a world-leading institute for political science and public policy research, participating in global research networks to support globally responsible leadership and public institutions, and engaging closely with government and other stakeholders to improve constitutional and institutional design.

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to join an Australian Research Council-funded team, mapping and studying public trust and mistrust in institutions. The primary focus of this role is to conceptualise, and collect, analyse and write up data contributing to potential responses to contemporary challenges of public trust. This internationally networked project includes access to high quality, national, experimental qualitative and quantitative data on citizen perceptions and attitudes, through two new waves of the Australian Constitutional Values Survey. Success in this role requires collaboration with a senior multi-university team and two other doctoral students.

Led by Professor A J Brown and Dr Max Gromping from Griffith University, the 5-year project team includes four universities and researchers spanning political science, public policy, constitutional and administrative law, media studies, regulation and social psychology.  The successful candidate will be based at the Nathan campus

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 have strong empirical skills and interests, including in the interpretation of quantitative data. You will have evidence of a passion for healthy democracy and transparent, accountable, ethical institutions, with a strong desire to undertake research into the relationship between citizens and good governance in any/all sectors.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters 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 Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.
• Applicants are welcome from any relevant social science discipline, provided they have existing research training or experience in the analysis of quantitative data, and a desire to undertake a PhD which applies the use of such data towards understanding and enhancing healthy forms of public trust and mistrust.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship

The 2024 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $33,480 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

EoI process

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

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Research proposal
• 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 of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: 5pm Friday 25  October  2024.

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

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).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor A J Brown

Phone: 0414 782 331

Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]