Company Description

As one of the most influential universities in Australia and the Asia–Pacific region, you will join Griffith University that spans five physical campuses in South East Queensland, while our network of more than 200,000 graduates extends worldwide. Griffith Sciences Group has over 450 staff members and researchers. We take pride in our global research contributions driven by our three Schools; Environment & Science, Engineering & Built Environment and Information & Communication Technology. Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates within the Schools have unfettered access to our leading researchers, state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative industry partners.

This research will be undertaken within the BioLawHub of the Griffith Law School at Griffith University. The hub’s mission is to build effective governance into bio-innovation research and development for long-term food, health and planetary security. Its vision is a world where systems-change thinking empowers biological governance to deliver equitable innovation and a thriving planet for all.

Your work will be supervised by Associate Professor Fran Humphries, Professor Charles Lawson and Dr Michelle Rourke who specialise in biodiversity, health and food security research.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations

Griffith University sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Job Description

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to develop and test a novel transdisciplinary governance and legal framework for research and development (R&D) on genetic resources. This project addresses the challenge of balancing: (a) scientific innovation; (b) sovereignty; and (c) equitable benefit sharing in global management of genetic resources in terrestrial, marine and outer space environments. Your project scope would be narrowed depending on your experience and expertise.

Through empirical research, doctrinal research and case studies, the project will integrate stakeholder perspectives, science and policy to address key gaps and challenges in genetic resource governance. The research lies at the intersection between conservation, health and food security R&D, which underlies ‘access and benefit sharing’ laws and other relevant law or policy. Expected outcomes include a practical and tested transdisciplinary framework and policy recommendations across terrestrial, marine and outer space domains.

Success in this role requires collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including scientists, government, industry and communities to deliver a focused project with academic outputs.

Qualifications

Consideration for this role and scholarship is dependent on meeting both the University’s entry requirements for PhD and the scholarship eligibility requirements (see below). The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to plan and complete a complex research project related to international law, execute qualitative or quantitative empirical research, and apply theoretical conceptual frameworks to support your analysis. You will have evidence of a passion for collaborative research, critical analysis, international law, completing timely projects and publications, with a strong desire to undertake transdisciplinary research.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note, the following experience, expertise and skills are desired but not essential:

• Experience in authoring published peer-reviewed journals and/or reports. Samples may be requested;
• Experience in managing and completing research projects;
• Expertise in international environmental law or space law; or
• A background in science and empirical research methods.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

Additional Information

About the scholarship
The 2025 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to Email: [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Research proposal targeted toward the project focus (see “Draft your proposal” here for guidance)
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 18 July 2025 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:
Associate Professor Fran Humphries
Phone: (07) 3735 3783
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]