We welcome PhD candidates who are passionate about improving work and contributing to healthier, more productive workforces. Study with us Browse current opportunities and find out why FOWI is the perfect place for a PhD. Is a PhD the right next step for me? Are you excited by the idea of conducting original research that could influence how millions of people experience work? Do you thrive on deep, sustained investigation into complex workplace problems? If you are intellectually curious, passionate about addressing complex workplace challenges, and eager to make a meaningful impact through research, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) may be the ideal next step. At the Future of Work Institute (FOWI), we welcome candidates who are passionate about improving work and contributing to healthier, more productive workforces. What support and funding options are available? Eligible candidates may receive a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, funded by the Australian Government. Each scholarship includes: Tax-free living stipend Tuition fee offset Additional allowances for research expenses In addition to financial support, you will benefit from a rich research experience, including: Opportunities to collaborate on industry-funded projects that shape real-world policy and practice Individualised supervision and mentoring from internationally recognised researchers A collaborative, inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth Publication and writing support to help you build a strong academic profile Access to conferences and networking opportunities to connect with global experts and peers There are currently no PhD opportunities available with the Future of Work Institute Download our 2026 prospectus to learn more about the PhD experience at FOWI, explore past research projects and find detailed information on Curtin University’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) application process. Download Current PhD candidates Contact Annika Mertens Project title: The Role of Work Design in the Technology Implementation Process in Healthcare In collaboration with Perth Children’s Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Annika is investigating how a new technology introduced at work changes existing work design and how existing work design impacts the technology implementation process. Supervisors: Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Madison Kho and Dr Gareth Baynam. Contact Rachel Xia Project title: The social class effect on employee selection Rachel's thesis aims to investigate how job candidates' social class signals influence recruiters' hiring evaluation and decisions, with the ultimate goal of helping organisations develop effective practices to mitigate unintentional discrimination and improve hiring quality. Supervisors: Professor Patrick Dunlop, Professor Amy Tian and Associate Professor Serena Wee. Contact Shannon Rowley Project title: Employee Recruitment Messaging, Anticipated Universal Needs Satisfaction, Value Congruence, and Individual Characteristics Shannon is investigating if employee recruitment activities, including information provided on career websites and job advertisements impacts jobseeker attraction and pursuit intentions through a motivation and fit perception lens. Supervisors: Professor Patrick Dunlop and Professor Marylene Gagne. Contact Yijing Liao Project title: Understanding how Generative AI Tools Influence Task Performance: The Role of Skill Level and Human Learning Yijing's research employs a range of experimental interventions to explore how Generative AI tools can impact workers learning or 'skill levelling'. Supervisors: Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Claire Mason and Professor Eva Kyndt. Contact Guofan Li Project title: Will AI Hire Me? - How and when AI Decisions Affect Applicant's Psychological Mechanisms, Reactions, and Intentions Guofan is exploring how AI decisions affect workers' psychological mechanisms, reactions, and intentions, as well as providing intervention measures to alleviate workers' negative reactions. Supervisors: Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Fangfang Zhang, and Professor Patrick Dunlop. Contact Wanghuan Lin Project title: A Unified Cognitive Model for Understanding Human Operators' use Automated Advice Wanghaun is using computational models to explore the affects of automation on human learning and decision-making, her research will examine if an over-reliance and dependance on information aids can influence cognitive processes, and whether key task-related factors such as workload and time pressure are impacted. Supervisors: Dr Luke Strickland and Professor Mark Griffin. What our students say "Professor Gagne is a walking example of a need-supportive and committed leader who brings out the best in people." - Dan Agate, PhD Candidate from the United States Learn about Dan's story PhD Alumni Natalya Desai Project title: Adapting to new technologies in multidisciplinary healthcare units Completion year: 2025 Supervisors: Professor Mark Griffin, Professor Marylene Gagne and Dr Georgia Hay Eyüp İlker Camgöz Project title: Want more Leaders? Think Enriched Work Design Completion year: 2025 Supervisors: Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Florian Klonek and Dr Anu Jolly Dan Agate Project title: The Communication Dynamics Behind Team Motivation Emergence Completion year: 2025 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné, Dr Florian Klonek, and Professor Thomas O'Neill Eva Zellman Project title: The role of leadership in managing an ageing and age-diverse workforce Completion year: 2024 Supervisors: Associate Professor Daniela Andrei and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker Hayley Moore Thesis title: I Can't Get No (Need) Satisfaction: Applying Basic Psychological Needs Theory to Foster Human Connection and Improved Applicant Reactions to Asynchronous Video Interviews Completion year: 2023 Supervisors: Professor Patrick Dunlop, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné, Dr Djurre Holtrop Lucinda Iles Thesis title: An Investigation into the Organisational Challenges Associated with An Ageing and Age Diverse Workforce Completion year: 2023 Supervisors: Associate Professor Daniela Andrei and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker Notable achievements: Hal Kendig Prize for Best ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) PhD Thesis 2023 Cheryl Sykes Thesis title: Thinking Beyond 'Sticks' in Australian Employment Services: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective Completion year: 2022 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné and Professor John Phillimore Cheryl Yam Thesis title: Examining the Curvilinear Effects of Autonomy at Work Completion year: 2022 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker and Dr Laura Fruhen Notable achievements: Best paper in the Journal of Organisational Behaviour (2019) Belinda Cham Thesis title: Endurance in Extreme Work Environments Completion year: 2021 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Mark Griffin, Associate Professor Daniela Andrei, Dr Micah Kate Wilson, Dr Sam Huf Notable achievements: Eureka Prize Finalist (2021) Bin Wang Thesis title: Thrive in a Digital Age: Understanding ICT-enabled Work Experiences through the Lens of Work Design Completion year: 2020 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker and Dr Yukun Liu Notable achievements: Recipient of the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad Fangfang Zhang Thesis title: Reorienting Job Crafting Research: Theoretical Clarification and Novel Investigations into Demands Crafting Completion year: 2020 Supervisors: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker and Professor Marylène Gagné Notable achievements: Best paper in the Journal of Organisational Behaviour (2019) 10 reasons to do your PhD at FOWI Learn more Testimonials from our PhD Alumni "Knowing that the research I do has a real impact on people in society, is a really rewarding experience." - Dr Cheryl Yam, FOWI Research Fellow and PhD Alumni Learn about Cheryl's story "One of the best aspects of doing a PhD at FOWI is that I can do both of these things at the same time. I receive great mentorship and guidance to develop my own research expertise, but I also get to conduct research that is impactful, multidisciplinary and collaborative... This has made my PhD journey more meaningful, interesting and varied." - Dr Belinda Cham, FOWI Research Fellow and PhD Alumni Learn about Belinda's story "The Centre for Transformative Work Design is a place where Work Design is researched, understood and practiced. You can hardly ask for a better environment in which to learn and conduct research." - Jia-Xin Tay (Jay) Ready to begin your PhD journey? Submit your Expression of Interest by 18 August 2025. Download our prospectus to learn more about the PhD experience at FOWI, explore available research projects and find detailed information on Curtin University’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) application process. Download

The Future of Work Institute is a research institute based at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to supporting people and organisations to thrive in the digital age. Celebrating funding success: ARC Centre of Excellence for Quality Work in a Digital Age The Future of Work Institute has secured major funding from the Australian Research Council to establish a groundbreaking research centre dedicated to empowering workers in the digital age. Learn more Shaping the future of work The Future of Work Institute is a research institute based at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to supporting people and organisations to thrive in the digital age. We promote meaningful and productive work as an essential foundation for a healthy economy and society, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies, demographic change and evolving work practices are reshaping the modern workplace. About the Institute Transforming people and societies Our research spans organisational psychology, strategic change, work redesign and all aspects of workplace improvement. We integrate academic excellence with practical impact through strong collaborations with industry and government. Our work is guided by three core research themes: Transforming Work , Human System Integration and Optimising Employee Experience . View our research Why pursue a PhD at FOWI? Learn about a PhD at FOWI An integrated approach A SMARTer way to work Developed by ARC Laureate Fellow Sharon Parker, SMART is a model for designing meaningful, motivating work that delivers positive outcomes by focusing on five key criteria: Stimulating, Mastery, Agency, Relational, and Tolerable Demands. Learn more Building thriving workplaces Thrive at Work is a world-first wellbeing initiative developed in partnership with leading mental health bodies and businesses. Together, we’ll design work that helps your employees and organisation thrive. Learn more Latest news

< Back Partnering for Success: A Guide to Enhancing Ambulance Crew Mentorship Read the report About the report This toolkit provides guidance to APs (mentors) and PIs (mentees; including Ambulance Officers (AOs) and Medics) on how to foster an effective and mutually beneficial informal mentoring relationship from the outset of working together to support the mental wellbeing of St John WA Ambulance crews. Hosszu, K., Gunson, H., Boeing, A., Chi, J., & Jorritsma, K. (2024). Partnering for Success: A Guide to Enhancing Ambulance Crew Mentorship. Toolkit by the Future of Work Institute, Curtin University funded by the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia. Citation: Previous Next

Browse our list of research reports from the Future of Work Institute (FOWI) All reports Filter by Author Select Author Filter by Topic Select Topic Filter by Publisher Select Publisher Unpacking the Enablers and Hindrances on the PARRTH to SMART Work Design 2025 Monica Trezise, Dr Lucinda Iles, Dr Anu Jolly, Dr Arian Kunzelmann, Dr Cheryl Yam, Professor Sharon Parker Read more CEPAR Industry Report 2025/1: Leading for Age Diversity: Evaluation of the Ascent Leadership Program 2024 Dr Leah Zoszak, Dr Eva Zellman, Associate Professor Daniela Andrei, Professor Sharon Parker Read more CEPAR Industry Report 2024/2 Mature Workers in Organisations: Understanding Retirement in Australia 2024 Dr Leah Zoszak, Associate Professor Daniela Andrei Read more From Incidents to Insights: A Guide to Leveraging Frontline Perspectives in Operational Debriefs 2024 Katrina Hosszu, Henry Gunson, Alex Boeing, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Initiating Care and Career Check-ins at the WA Police Force: A Guide to Making Work, Work for You 2024 Henry Gunson, Alex Boeing, Katrina Hosszu, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Promoting Care and Careers in the WA Police Force: A Guide to Checking-in with your People 2024 Alex Boeing, Henry Gunson, Katrina Hosszu, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Wellbeing on Station: A Toolkit for Firefighters and Station Officers 2024 Alex Boeing, Henry Gunson, Katrina Hosszu, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Partnering for Success: A Guide to Enhancing Ambulance Crew Mentorship 2024 Katrina Hosszu, Henry Gunson, Alex Boeing, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Together We Thrive: A Toolkit for Learning, Care and Career Development at DBCA 2024 Alex Boeing, Henry Gunson, Katrina Hosszu, Judy Chi, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Designing SMARTer work to reduce psychosocial risks: Evaluating the effectiveness of a participatory workredesign intervention in aged care 2024 Associate Professor Daniela Andrei, Dr Madison Kho, Dr Jane Chong, Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Lucinda Iles, Dr Hayley Moore, Dr Eyal Karin Read more Changing work design to improve mental health in the Healthcare and Social Assistance industry 2024 Dr Lucinda Iles, Dr Anu Jolly, Dr Arian Kunzelmann, Cati Thomas Read more The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study: Insights from the Worker Survey and Interviews 2024 Dr Cheryl Yam, Dr Melissa Chapman, Dr Lucinda Iles, Martin Anderson, Professor Sharon Parker Read more Caught between Obligation and Exclusion: The Plight of Mature Age Jobseekers in Australia’s Employment Services System 2023 Dr Cheryl Sykes, Professor Marylène Gagné Read more Investigative panel into building and retaining an effective homelessness sector workforce 2023 Professor Patrick Dunlop, Dr Jess Gilbert, Professor Marylène Gagné, Hawa Muhammad Farid Read more Thriving Sustainably: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Workplace Mental Health - A Thrive at Work Survey Insights Report 2023 Dr Belinda Cham, Professor Karina Jorritsma, Professor Mark Griffin, Professor Sharon Parker Read more How work design shapes mental health in the Healthcare and Social Assistance industry 2023 Dr Anu Jolly, Dr Arian Kunzelmann, Dr Cheryl Yam, Professor Sharon Parker Read more Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety in the mining industry – The MARS Program Landmark Study: Workplace policy and practice survey 2023 Dr Cathy Drane, Dr Cheryl Yam, Martin Anderson, Professor Karina Jorritsma, Professor Sharon Parker Read more Thrive at Work Audit Toolkit – Take stock and mature your organisation’s mental health and wellbeing practices 2023 Professor Karina Jorritsma, Dr Belinda Cham, Judy Chi, Dr Melissa Chapman Read more Thrive at Work Focus Groups Toolkit – Diagnose and develop solutions to improve the work design of your people through consultation 2023 Professor Karina Jorritsma, Judy Chi, Vanessa Moore, Alex Boeing Read more Thrive at Work Survey Toolkit - Develop a strategic and integrated employee wellbeing survey 2023 Professor Karina Jorritsma, Judy Chi, Dr Belinda Cham, Dr Melissa Chapman Read more Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety in the mining industry – Towards a healthy and safe workforce in the mining industry: A review and mapping of current practice 2022 Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Read more Volunteering in Australia: The organisation perspective 2022 Professor Patrick Dunlop, Hawa Muhammad Farid Read more Mental awareness, respect and safety in the mining industry – The landmark study: A review and synthesis of the literature 2022 Dr Cheryl Yam, Professor Sharon Parker, Martin Anderson, Dr Cathy Drane Read more Psychological injury in the New South Wales Healthcare and Social Assistance industry: A retrospective cohort study 2022 Healthy Working Lives Research Group Read more Emergency Services Workforce 2030 2022 Dr Jane Chong, Professor Patrick Dunlop Read more Emergency Services Workforce 2030 - Changing Work Literature Review 2022 Dr Jane Chong, Professor Patrick Dunlop Read more Emergency Services Workforce 2030 - Changing Landscape Literature Review 2022 Dr Jane Chong, Professor Patrick Dunlop Read more Risk factors associated with psychological injury among Healthcare and Social Assistance workers in non-hospital settings: Systematic scoping review 2022 Healthy Working Lives Research Group, Professor Sharon Parker Read more Support Your Volunteers: Volunteer Leader Toolkit 2022 Professor Patrick Dunlop,Hawa Muhammad Farid Read more An Employer Lens on COVID-19: Adapting to change in Australian workplaces 2021 Professor Sharon Parker Read more How to Lead Flexible Work: A Guide to Successful Policy and Practice for Managers 2020 Lena Neumeier, Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Karina Jorritsma, Dr Caroline Knight Read more How to Manage Virtual Teams: A Guide for Managers 2020 Kiri Adams, Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Karina Jorritsma, Professor Mark Griffin Read more How to make my Flexible Work SMART: A Guide for Workers 2020 Kim Parker, Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more How Digital Collaboration is shaping the future of Healthcare and Education 2020 Dr Zitong Sheng, Dr Keyao Li, Professor Mark Griffin Read more Maximising Potential: Findings from the Mature Workers in Australia Survey (MWOS) Report 2019 Associate Professor Daniela Andrei, Professor Sharon Parker, Dr Lucinda Iles, Dr Gigi Petery, Leah Zoszak, Shannon Chen Read more MAPNet: Rethinking Work Skills for the Future 2019 Professor Mark Griffin, Melissa Chapman, Katrina Hosszu, Megan Orchard, Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Karina Jorritsma, Professor Marylene Gagne, Professor Patrick Dunlop Read more Thrive at Work Toolkit 2019 Professor Karina Jorritsma, Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Mark Griffin Read more Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers 2018 Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Mark Griffin, Professor Karina Jorritsma Read more Does the evidence and theory support the good work design principles? An Educational Resource 2015 Professor Sharon Parker Read more

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In the media A collection of media articles featuring the work of our researchers Media enquiries Our researchers are available for comment and interviews related to organisational psychology and workplace wellbeing. For any media enquiries about the Future of Work Institute and its work, please contact media@curtin.edu.au . Filter by year Select year Filter by media type Select media type Filter by researcher Select researcher 17 Mar 2023 5 most promising Fintech startups Read more 21 Mar 2023 Gadget review: release of new Airy Pods Read more 22 Mar 2023 Best smart wearables of 2023 Read more 19 Mar 2023 How technology can help curb attention disorders Read more 18 Mar 2023 Entering a new era of IoT Read more 20 Mar 2023 Long-term benefits of clean energy sources Read more

< Back Does the evidence and theory support the good work design principles? An Educational Resource Read the report About the report The current paper analyses work design evidence and theory linked to the principles. Although it acknowledges physical, biomechanical, and cognitive work characteristics described in the handbook, this paper focuses on psychosocial work characteristics such as autonomy, support, variety, and a moderate level of demands. Parker, S. K. Does the evidence and theory support the good work design principles? An Educational Resource. SafeWork Australia, ISBN 978-1-76028-435-0. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1702/does-the-evidence-theory-support-good-work-design-principles.pdf Citation: Previous Next

< Back Caught between Obligation and Exclusion: The Plight of Mature Age Jobseekers in Australia’s Employment Services System Read the report About the report This report presents a detailed qualitative study of mature age individuals navigating Australia's mandatory employment services while on income support Sykes, C., Gagne, M. (2023). Caught between Obligation and Exclusion: The Plight of Mature Age Jobseekers in Australia’s Employment Services System. An industry report prepared by ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research. https://www.cepar.edu.au/sites/default/files/Caught-between-obligation-and-exclusion-CEPAR-Industry-Report-October-2023.pdf Citation: Previous Next

< Back How technology can help curb attention disorders Sarah Jones 19 Mar 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Previous Next

< Back Thrive at Work Focus Groups Toolkit – Diagnose and develop solutions to improve the work design of your people through consultation Read the report About the report The Thrive at Work Focus Group Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for facilitating focus groups to better understand your workers’ experiences regarding workplace mental health and wellbeing. Jorritsma, K., Chi, J., Moore, V., & Boeing, A. (2023). Thrive at Work Focus Groups Toolkit – Diagnose and develop solutions to improve the work design of your people through consultation. Toolkit by the Future of Work Institute, Curtin University, funded by the Mental Health Commission of WA as a part of the MARS Program. Citation: Previous Next

< Back Entering a new era of IoT Derek Wells 18 Mar 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Previous Next

< Back CEPAR Industry Report 2024/2 Mature Workers in Organisations: Understanding Retirement in Australia Read the report About the report This report is the result of a collaboration between the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) and an Australian financial advisory firm, Viridian Advisory. The presented findings highlight interview insights for retirement decision making processes. Bennett, L., Zoszak, L., Andrei, D. M., Runneboom, C., Chong, J., & Pitt, D. (2024). Mature Workers in Organisations: Understanding Retirement in Australia. ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research Industry Report. 2024/2. https://cepar.edu.au/sites/default/files/2024-2-Mature-Workers-in-Organisations.pdf Citation: Previous Next