"PhD Student - Call for Expressions of Interest - PhD in Business (Corporate Entrepreneurship)"

About the position

Call for Expressions of Interest

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student 

Bond University, Business School

Position title: PhD in Business (Corporate Entrepreneurship)

The Bond Business School is calling for expressions of interest from Business graduates wishing to apply for a PhD project investigating corporate entrepreneurship in Australia’s higher education sector. This dual-method study (qualitative and quantitative) will explore how universities innovate, adapt, and drive entrepreneurial initiatives to remain competitive and impactful in a rapidly evolving landscape. Suggested project titles include:

1. From Academia to Enterprise: Corporate Entrepreneurship in Australian Universities
2. Innovation at Scale: Balancing Mission and Market in Higher Education
3. Governance and Growth: How Australian Universities Institutionalise Entrepreneurship
4. The Intrapreneurial University: Cultivating Innovation in Academic Settings

Candidates are encouraged to refine these titles based on their interests. 

Research Synopsis

This research investigates how Australian universities integrate corporate entrepreneurship - such as commercialising research via spin-offs, adopting agile governance, balancing academic missions with revenue generation, and fostering intrapreneurship - to address funding constraints, technological shifts, and industry collaboration demands. While corporate entrepreneurship is well-documented in private sectors, its application in higher education remains underexplored, particularly regarding how institutions reconcile entrepreneurial initiatives with academic values, design effective governance models, navigate policy impacts on staff-led ventures, and address tensions in intrapreneurial cultures.  

The successful applicant’s doctoral thesis will be supervised by Dr. Anton de Waal, – Principal Supervisor, and Dr Helena Liu – Associate Supervisor. 

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 for 2025 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

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

Application and submission details

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)

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