"PhD Scholarship: Bond University & Surf Life Saving Australia"

Higher Degree by Research Doctoral Candidate Scholarship

About the position

PhD Scholarship: Bond University & Surf Life Saving Australia

Health, Wellbeing and People in Volunteer Organisations

Bond University and Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) are partnering to offer a unique PhD scholarship focused on strengthening the health, wellbeing and sustainability of volunteer organisations. 

As the world’s largest volunteer surf lifesaving movement, SLSA brings more than 200,000 members and a century‑long legacy of community service. Bond University’s Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare generates impactful, consumer-driven research that improves health outcomes through collaboration, innovation, and education. Together, this partnership provides an exceptional opportunity to generate research with real-world impact for the Surf Life Saving community and beyond.

The PhD program will involve a cohesive suite of research projects with flexibility for candidates experienced in either quantitative or qualitative approaches. The overarching aim is to explore key issues affecting volunteer-based organisations, including the impact of volunteering on health and wellbeing, challenges and opportunities in leadership and retention, and the demands, risks, and protective factors experienced by volunteers. Candidates will have the opportunity to work closely with academic experts and SLSA industry partners, producing research that directly informs policy and practice.

About the PhD

The successful candidate will conduct a cohesive set of research projects that combine academic rigour with applied investigation, generating outcomes that directly inform policy and practice within Surf Life Saving Australia and comparable volunteer organisations. The research itself has built-in flexibility and is potentially suitable for applicants with an interest and experience in quantitative or qualitative research. 

The overarching purpose is to investigate one or more of the following:

· The impact of volunteering on volunteers’ health and wellbeing

· People, leadership, participation, and retention

· The unique demands, risks, and protective factors for people associated with large-scale volunteer-based organisations

The team and research environment

The PhD will be led by the Primary Supervisor: Professor Julie Redfern AM, PhD, FAAHMS, FCSANZ, FESC, GAICD. Professor of Public Health and Director, Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University. The successful candidate will be located within and supported by the team within the research Institute.

Professor Redfern is an internationally recognised leader in health services research and implementation science. She currently holds an NHMRC Investigator Grant (Leadership 2) and is a recipient of the NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Award for Health Services. Professor Redfern is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the European Society of Cardiology and holds an Adjunct Professorship with the University of Sydney.

Additional academic supervisors and industry experts from Surf Life Saving Australia will be appointed during the project planning and design phase, ensuring the supervisory team reflects the multidisciplinary and applied focus of the PhD.

Why apply?

· Become an independent researcher and scholar and conduct research with direct impact on community health, youth participation, and volunteer sustainability

· Develop your expertise with internationally renowned academics and one of Australia’s most respected organisations, delivering research with real-world impact

· Receive financial support and professional development opportunities

· Graduate with a PhD grounded in both academic excellence and applied, real-world relevance

About the person

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants with a good understanding of Surf Life Saving, preferably within Australia, will be viewed favourably.

Applicants should have a first degree with major studies in a subject area (relevant to the PhD purpose) from a recognised institution, with a GPA of at least 75% in a major study area.

Applicants should have one of the following: Masters by Research degree/Masters degree with a substantial research component or an Honours degree - Class 1 or Class 2 Division A or other research experience deemed equivalent to one of the above, i.e. applicant has worked as a research assistant or has a publication record or professional experience and can demonstrate the appropriate level of expertise in research methodology and relevant research skills.

Applications are open to:

• Domestic and international students currently residing in Australia
• International students overseas at the time of application who hold, or are eligible to obtain, a visa to study in Australia

More information: PhD Entry Requirements

Salary details

Scholarship Overview

This scholarship provides a unique opportunity for a talented candidate to undertake an industry-embedded PhD addressing real-world challenges of national and community importance.

Scholarship Funding and Conditions

· Scholarship term: Three years that includes:

o Living stipend (tax free);

o Full exemption from tuition fees for Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens. This exemption is valid for up to four years for full-time study or up to eight years part-time study for a Doctoral program;

o A project budget to support the research, financial support to travel to and attend conferences to present their research. Some support may also be provided for article processing fees; and

o Research and leadership training within a world-class team and research environment.

Scholarship continuation is subject to satisfactory academic progress, monitored through annual university review processes and industry engagement milestones.

Additional information

How to apply

Please submit an Expression of Interest that includes:

• A written statement (maximum of 1 page) describing your interest in the research topics and your capacity to contribute to research in this area
• A written statement (maximum of 1 page) addressing the eligibility 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, law essay or assignment)

Application and submission details

Please submit your expression of interest via Bond’s application portal: https://bond.edu.au/research/research-degrees/how-to-apply

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please email your queries to: 

Tanya Forbes via email address tforbes@bond.edu.au