PhD Scholarship Opportunity – Software Engineering for Social Good
Job No.: 677910
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
The Opportunity
Expressions of interest are sought for a full-time scholarship to study for a PhD supervised by the Faculty of Information Technology. The candidate will work on a project to improve the design, implementation, and evaluation of advanced software engineering techniques and methodologies aimed at detecting, mitigating, and preventing misinformation online. The successful candidate will develop novel AI-driven software frameworks, algorithms, robust testing and validation methods, and/or empirically validated solutions that contribute directly to social good, promoting trust, fairness, transparency, and reliability in digital environments. This research will involve collaboration with industry, policymakers, and community organisations, providing unique opportunities to develop impactful, real-world solutions to one of society’s most pressing challenges.
The scholarship comprises:
- full fee waiver (for 4 years)
- $36,063 AUD tax-free stipend (for 3.5 years, subject to annual indexation)
- $10k travel and research expenses
The PhD project:
The proliferation of misinformation across digital platforms poses serious threats to societal trust, public health, democracy, and social cohesion. Although artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have advanced significantly, current software engineering methodologies remain insufficiently equipped to integrate responsible, reliable, and scalable AI-driven solutions into systems that effectively combat misinformation. This PhD project will address this critical challenge by developing novel software engineering techniques, methodologies, and tools designed specifically to detect, mitigate, and prevent the spread of misinformation across digital platforms, ensuring ethical and socially responsible outcomes.
Candidate Requirements
The successful applicant will have:
- Qualifications comprising one or more of:
- a bachelor’s honours degree in a relevant discipline (computer science, software engineering), which includes a research thesis or project, with an overall average grade equivalent to a First Class Honours; or
- a master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. computer science, software engineering) which includes a research thesis or project, with a minimum overall average grade equivalent to a First Class Honours; or
- a qualification, or combination of qualifications and relevant professional experience, deemed equivalent by the Monash Graduate Research Committee.
- strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- familiarity, expertise and/or interest in software engineering research methods and preparedness to further develop these skills; and
- research and/or practical experience relevant to the research topic (this could include but is not limited to working as a software engineer)
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
EOIs should be submitted by email to:
Professor Aldeida Aleti: aldeida.aleti@monash.edu
Please request a confirmation of receipt to ensure that your EOI will be considered.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
EOIs should include the following attachments:
- a cover letter (two A4 pages maximum) that includes a statement of the applicant’s suitability for and interest in the research;
- a curriculum vitae, including any relevant work experience;
- a copy of academic transcripts for all higher education qualifications and
- contact details of two referees (at least one academic referee).
- a two page proposal
Enquiries: should be directed by email to Professor Aldeida Aleti, aldeida.aleti@monash.edu
Supporting a diverse workforce
