PhD Scholarships – Integrating living evidence into adaptive platform trials to improve efficiencies within the research ecosystem

Job No.: 689242

Location: 553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. Moving to 509 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne in August 2026

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3-year fixed-term appointment

Supervisory Team: Dr Samantha Chakraborty, Professor Tari Turner

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $37,145AUD per annum 2025 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships/fees-scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures. The stipend may be converted to top-up funding if candidates receive a University international or national PhD scholarship. Additional support may also be available for project resources and conference attendance.

The Opportunity
We are seeking expressions of interest from talented candidates who wish to apply for a PhD to undertake research enhancing adaptive platform trial (APT) design to improve efficiencies in research generation and accelerate the impact of research on health outcomes.

The PhD research projects will be embedded in a wider research program funded by an NHMRC Ideas Grant focused on advancing adaptive platform trials by incorporating new external research as it emerges. The two PhD projects will be based at the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration within the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and candidates will work closely with team members from multiple adaptive platform trials across Australia.

PhD candidates will receive rigorous training in public health and knowledge translation studies. You will also enjoy the potential to attend national and international conferences.

Two project-specific PhD scholarships are available as follows:

Project 1: Integrating living evidence into adaptive platform trials to strengthen the research ecosystem

This project aims to explore the implications of integrating living evidence into APTs, from the perspective of the wider research community.

The project will involve identifying factors that may encourage or hinder ongoing use of living evidence in APTs. Activities will involve conducting a needs analysis and process map of potential high-value decision points within APTs that would benefit from living evidence. The student will also gain expertise in conducting co-design workshops and qualitative interviews; and will have the opportunity to gain experience liaising with a range of research stakeholders including APT trial teams, consumers, journal editors and guideline developers.

Project 2: Integrating living evidence into adaptive platform trials to create efficiencies in research generation

This project aims to explore the processes for integrating living evidence into APT workflows and decisions, from the perspective of adaptive platform trial teams. This project would be ideally suited to a student who has experience working in clinical trials and may be a clinician, researcher, or student who is affiliated with an APT.

The project will involve using an organisational readiness lens to understand and implement a co-designed living evidence method across two APT pilot sites. The student will also gain expertise in developing a scoping review and conducting and disseminating living evidence syntheses to inform APT decisions.

About the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC)
The Australian Living Evidence Collaboration is a world-first collaboration that is bringing together leading experts in evidence synthesis, guideline development and digital technologies to build a next-generation system for delivering reliable, accessible, up-to-date evidence in health. Hosted by Cochrane Australia at Monash University, the collaboration has 64 member groups across Australia.

Why work with ALEC?
Every day in Australia, important healthcare decisions are made with incomplete or outdated knowledge about what’s been proven to work for patients, what delivers the best value for the health system, or where more research is needed. Living Evidence provides a system that can deliver the latest research to the point of care in near real-time, driving better care and health outcomes for all Australians.

Selection criteria
Monash University seeks applicants for this opportunity who are able to demonstrate and present valid and current Australian work rights.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with honours or a master's in a relevant discipline, with strong academic results. The project would ideally suit candidates with a background in health sciences or medicine, with an interest in research translation and implementation science.

Interested applicants should refer to the PhD entry requirements: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/apply

If this sounds like a position that suits your current career focus we look forward to hearing from you.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.

How to apply – Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
For general instructions on how to apply for roles at Monash, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.

Candidates should include the following when submitting the expression of interest:

• A cover letter, not exceeding 1 page, outlining your research skills, experience, and why this PhD opportunity interests you
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of any peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and relevant work and/or research experience
• Scanned copies of academic transcripts
• Contact details of two academic referees

Enquiries: Dr Samantha Chakraborty, samantha.chakraborty@monash.edu

Applications Close: Sunday 8 February 2026, 11:55pm AEDT