Robbie Fordyce

Monash University’s Faculty of Arts is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship for research in generative artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on the humanities and social sciences. This 3.5-year, full-time position is based at the Clayton campus and provides a tax-free stipend of $36,063 AUD per annum (2025 rate), indexed, along with a tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) for international students. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment, collaborating with the Monash Artificial Intelligence Institute and a cohort of PhD students working on generative AI across various disciplines. The scholarship supports research projects that use generative AI as a phenomenon to be studied or as a substantial component of research design or methodology within the social sciences or humanities. Applicants are encouraged to propose novel research topics, with suggested themes including prompt engineering and moderation, AI content creation in media, activist or counter-use of generative AI, analysis of anti-democratic AI campaigns, and theorizing the social, cultural, economic, or artistic value of AI-generated content. The program offers expert interdisciplinary supervision, opportunities for personal and career development, and support for research outputs such as publications, symposia, and grant applications. Applicants must have a strong academic background in the social sciences or humanities, preferably with an Honour’s or Master’s degree (or international equivalent) with a significant research component and first-class honours/H1. Technical expertise in AI is not required. Candidates must meet the Faculty of Arts PhD eligibility criteria, including English-language proficiency, and be able to enroll full-time and on campus. Those who already hold a PhD are not eligible. The expected enrollment date is by 31 March 2026, with some flexibility. To apply, candidates should first discuss their proposal with Dr Robbie Fordyce via email, then submit an Expression of Interest including a cover letter, research proposal, CV, academic records, English proficiency results (if applicable), and contact details for two academic referees. The application deadline is 23 November 2025. This opportunity is ideal for aspiring researchers interested in the societal impacts of generative AI and seeking to contribute to a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community at Monash University.