Academic ConnectPhD Student Call for Expressions of Interest - Faculty of Law
About the position
The Faculty of Law, Bond University is calling for expressions of interest from law graduates wishing to complete a PhD in the following areas of law:
- Competition Law
- Agricultural Law
- Geographical Indications
- Trademarks Law
Why study at Bond?
The Bond Faculty of Law has a reputation for providing the best professional legal education in the country, and we leverage that reputation to attract exceptional law students and establish useful professional and institutional partnerships. We offer a suite of academically rigorous and professionally focussed law programs, delivered in an engaging and innovative manner by exceptional law teachers. 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.
The successful applicant’s doctoral thesis will be supervised by Professor William van Caenegem as Principal Supervisor and Assistant Professor Kana Nakano as Associate Supervisor. Information concerning the Supervisors professional background is available at Professor William van Caenegem, Assistant Professor Kana Nakano.
The successful applicant
A successful applicant will address research questions in the relevant areas, including but not limited to the following:
- Is the current Australian competition law fit for purpose in all industry sectors?
- Do some industry sectors such as agriculture, require exceptional or special treatment in terms of the competition law?
- Should existing exceptions to the operation of the competition law, for instance collective bargaining, be more easily accessible?
- Is the regulation of agriculture in Australia fit for purpose? How does the regulatory structure of agriculture compare to analogous structures in other countries?
- Does Australia require statutory protection for food geographical indications? Is (certification) trademark protection sufficient?
- How does Australia’s protection of geographical terms in passing off, trademark registration, and geographical indications law compare with other jurisdictions, for instance in Europe and in Asia/South-East Asia?
Candidates are invited to propose their own research projects within the broad confines of the research areas mentioned above.
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.
About the person
Selection Criteria
Essential Criteria:
- A Master of Laws, Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws with Honours
- Excellent legal analysis and legal writing skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work in teams
Desirable Criteria:
- Evidence of project management and organisational skills, including the ability to achieve goals and deliver outcomes within a specified time period.
- Prior study in Economics and Law at either an undergraduate or postgraduate level (the study of economics is desirable but not essential; knowledge of Law and Economics literature is desirable).
- Demonstrated interest in legal questions related to one or more of: the operation of markets in Australia; competitive markets; addressing bargaining imbalance in market sectors; monopolies, monopsonies, oligopolies; the operation of the competition law in multiple jurisdictions; power imbalances in particular markets or industry sectors; agricultural law and regulation; trademarks and geographical indications law, including in Australia; and comparative law.
- Experience undertaking a substantial research project (e.g. Masters thesis or Honours thesis)
- Publication in a peer-reviewed journal; or in a chapter book or similar
- Capacity to seek external funding with support from supervisors
Salary details
In addition to high quality, personalised supervision and access to the full range of facilities available to Bond University students, the successful applicant 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. International students may also be eligible for a partial fee waiver.The tuition waiver lasts the duration of the program.
- Support in applying for a scholarship: The successful applicant will be encouraged and supported 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).
- Employment opportunities: Successful applicants may have the opportunity to undertake paid research assistant work within the Faculty of Law, contributing to both internal faculty projects and externally funded grant initiatives. This role offers valuable hands-on experience in legal research and academic collaboration. Suitable candidates who otherwise qualify might also have the opportunity to undertake paid work as tutors at the Faculty of Law.
Additional information
For all enquiries related to this EOI process, please contact the Faculty of Law, Bond University on law-research@bond.edu.au.
Application and submission details
How to submit an expression of interest
Please submit your expression of interest via email to the Faculty of Law, Bond University at law-research@bond.edu.au
Your EOI must include:
- A written statement (maximum of 2 pages) describing your interest in the research project and your capacity to answer the research questions
- 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, law essay or assignment)
Submissions close: 5:00pm, Friday 29 August 2025
For more information, visit Supporting diversity at Bond | Bond University | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.