Doctor of Philosophy

As a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate, you will undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a health-related discipline or profession.

This program is suited to applicants who:

have some prior research experience are interested in a pursuing a career in research have a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular field have a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know more wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification want to enhance their employment opportunities.

Students completing a PhD in Health Sciences can work with supervisors who are experts in a diverse range of areas.

Our supervisors’ specialities include, but are not limited to:

Psychology (e.g.

social, clinical, forensic, developmental, educational) Neuroscience (e.g.

cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuromarketing, psychopharmacology, neurodegenerative disease, neurodevelopmental disorders) Health Sciences (e.g.

digital health, health promotion, disabilities, chronic diseases, cardiovascular risks, physiology, sports and exercise science, sensory systems) Data Sciences (e.g.

health analytics, biostatistics, epidemiology, statistics) Health Professions (e.g.

dietetics, nursing) Students interested in interdisciplinary PhDs are also welcome to apply.

Find out more about research areas and expertise in the School of Health Sciences.

Students completing a PhD in Health Sciences can work with supervisors who are experts in a diverse range of areas. Our supervisors’ specialities include, but are not limited to:

• Psychology (e.g. social, clinical, forensic, developmental, educational)
• Neuroscience (e.g. cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuromarketing, psychopharmacology, neurodegenerative disease, neurodevelopmental disorders)
• Health Sciences (e.g. digital health, health promotion, disabilities, chronic diseases, cardiovascular risks, physiology, sports and exercise science, sensory systems)
• Data Sciences (e.g. health analytics, biostatistics, epidemiology, statistics)
• Health Professions (e.g. dietetics, nursing)

Students interested in interdisciplinary PhDs are also welcome to apply.

Applicants must have completed at least four years (or equivalent) of tertiary education studies in a relevant discipline at a high level of achievement, and must have been approved for the award of the degree(s) for which they studied.

• a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Research; or
• a bachelor degree (three or four years) and an Honours year; or
• a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Coursework; or
• a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology; or
• a bachelor degree (four years) in an approved discipline.

Find out more about entry requirements.

The Doctor of Philosophy program has the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research. While the research is conducted under a supervisor students are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

A Doctor of Philosophy graduate is expected to be able to:

• conduct independent research at a high level of originality and quality
• independently conceive of, design, conduct and complete a research project or program
• understand their given substantive area as well as the given methodological approach(es)
• communicate an argument convincingly, with clarity and relevance to appropriate audiences.

Other key skills obtained by research graduates include:

• Independent thinking
• Decision-making skills
• Good judgement
• Logical thought, rationality
• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Data analysis
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking