"Expression of Interest – PhD Student (Accounting), Bond Business School"

About the position

Call for Expressions of Interest

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student 

Bond University, Business School

Position title: PhD in Business (Accounting)

Bond Business School is calling for expressions of interest from Business and Accounting graduates wishing to apply for a PhD project investigating the use of generative AI (GAI) in the accounting profession. This project is expected to use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how accountants adopt, rely on, and govern GAI tools in areas such as audit, financial reporting, tax, and management accounting, and how these tools are reshaping professional judgement, work practices, and client relationships.

Potential focal areas include how firms evaluate and adopt GAI tools, how accountants use them in tasks such as drafting advice, analysing transactions, documenting audit evidence, or preparing reports, and how this affects decision quality, efficiency, and risk. The project will also explore ethical and regulatory questions, such as confidentiality, bias, explainability, and compliance with professional and legislative requirements. While there is growing discussion of AI in accounting, empirical evidence on how GAI is actually used in practice, how it shapes professional judgement, and how firms design policies, training, and controls around these tools is still limited. This PhD will address that gap by examining the lived experience of accountants working with GAI, the organisational structures that support or constrain its use, and the broader implications for professional identity, skills development, and the future of the accounting profession.

The successful applicant’s doctoral thesis will be supervised by Dr Tim Hasso and Dr Mark Brosnan.

Why study at Bond?

The Bond Business School (BBS) delivers a truly personalised educational experience to every student. BBS provides a unique learning environment. This setting tailors our industry-relevant learning experiences to the needs of each student, one by one. In addition, each student has unparalleled access to dedicated learning facilities, global industry connections, internationally diverse cohorts and world class academics. We demonstrate an outstanding student service ethic, offer an engaging and satisfying student experience, and prioritise student wellbeing. We engage in high quality, impactful research in niche areas of research excellence.

Our research groups include:

• Centre for Data Analytics
• Governance, Accountability and Purpose (GAP) Research Group
• Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise

About the person

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• A Business, or Commerce Master by Research or Bachelor of Commerce, Business with Honours
• Experience undertaking a substantial research project (e.g. Masters thesis or Honours thesis)
• Excellent data analysis and academic writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work in teams
• Evidence of project management and organisational skills, including the ability to achieve goals and deliver outcomes within a specified time period. 

Desirable:

• Publication in a peer-reviewed journal
• Experience with tutoring business students
• Capacity to assist with seeking external funding with support from supervisors

Salary details

Candidates will receive high quality, personalised supervision and access to the full range of facilities available to Bond University students, successful applicants will be entitled to the following benefits:

• Tuition fee waiver: The Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) scheme provides tuition fee waivers for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents enrolled in higher degree programs such as a PhD. The tuition waiver lasts the duration of the program.
• Option to apply for a scholarship: The successful applicant will be encouraged to apply for the Living Stipend Scholarship at Bond University. The RTP also provides a limited number of scholarships for PhD students by way of a living stipend. Application is made through a competitive round held twice a year (closing 31 March and 30 September). The current full-time stipend rate for all HDR scholarship categories for2025 is $33,511 AUD per annum.
• Employment opportunities: The successful applicant may also be provided with employment opportunities such as tutoring or research assistant work within the Bond Business School dependent upon prior experience. Employment will be subject to the conditions of the PhD program and the terms of any scholarship awarded.
• Internship opportunities: The successful applicant may have the opportunity to partner with a business or organisation in our network to conduct research, gain valuable real-world experience and make an impact. PhD Industry Internships offer a unique opportunity to apply your research expertise to real-world challenges, collaborate with industry leaders, and build a pathway toward your future career.

The successful applicant will need to meet all Bond University requirements for entry into the PhD program and achieve the milestones required by the University throughout their doctoral program. It is also a requirement that the successful applicant be based full-time at the Gold Coast campus.

Additional information

For all enquiries related to this position, please contact the Bond Business School on bbsresearch@bond.edu.au

Application and submission details

How to submit an expression of interest 

Please submit your expression of interest via the Bond University application portal

Your EOI must include:

• The number and title of the position you are applying for.
• A written statement (maximum of 2 pages) describing your interest in the research project and proposed research topic.
• A written statement (maximum of 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria set out above.
• A current curriculum vitae including the names of two academic referees.
• Your academic transcripts.
• An example of your written academic work (e.g. Honours thesis, peer-reviewed journal article, or academic research projects)

Expressions of interest close: Monday, 16 March 2026