PhD Scholarship: Autistic mothers of autistic children: wellbeing, quality of life and support systems

About the opportunity

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to join the Autism Centre of Excellence and our community partners on a project that if focussed on the wellbeing of young autistic children. The PhD candidate will conduct a separate but complementary project focussed on autistic mothers of autistic children. The applicant is able to propose the specific project and develop their series of studies, but to complement the broader project, the phd should explore a topic related to autistic mothers of autistic children and either (a) the interaction between maternal and child well-being and quality of life or (b) experiences of accessing formal and informal supports or services for their children.

About us

The Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) is located within the School of Education and Professional Studies and provides quality teaching, research and consultancy. The centre has a multi-disciplinary focus engaging with many disciplines including clinical psychology, education, psychology and occupational therapy. All of our work aims to improve the quality of life of autistic individuals and those that live with or support them.

Our Centre is based on the Logan campus, but there is an opportunity to spend some days on other campuses or to work from home.

About you

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. However, to be successful within this role, you will need to demonstrate your commitment to improving the wellbeing and quality of life of the Autistic population, and specifically the underrepresented community of Autistic mothers. We will look favourably on your evidenced ability to collaborate with autistic children and adults, and their families in a respectful way, including those with intersectional identities or multiple elements of marginalisation. You will have evidence of a passion for ethical, meaningful and inclusive applied research in this field, and a strong desire to undertake research which aligns with the priorities of the autistic and autism communities, including in adopting methods of coproduction across the project lifecycle.

• 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 Policy . For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here .
• A degree in a relevant discipline including psychology, speech pathology, or education is desirable.

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:

A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0

OR a minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE

OR a score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

About the scholarship

The 2022 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $28,854 (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 Associate Professor Dawn Adams at dawn.adams@griffith.edu.au  containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Research proposal
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: 5pm  AEST 30 October 2022.

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).

This PhD scholarship is attached to a project that values and is informed by community collaboration. You will have the opportunity to work alongside these community partners in your PhD and identify ways to reduce translate your work into practice and resources for our partners.

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:

Associate Professor Dawn Adams

Phone: (07) 353 55854

Email: dawn.adams@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Phone: (07) 3735 3817

Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au