What you'll investigate

The successful applicants will work on a project in theological or philosophical bioethics concerned with ethical aspects of RNA research and clinical use as part of the NSW RNA Research & Training Network (NSW-RRTN) (RNA Research & Training Network). The projects will include a three-month internship with a suitable industry partner involved in RNA research and other collaborative events and activities as part of the network.

Suitable topics of research might include but are not limited to:

• fundamental questions about the ethics of RNA research related to concepts such as human dignity, human flourishing, health and wellbeing, and the nature and purpose of science and healthcare
• questions concerning any ethically relevant differences that arise from RNA research or application that would affect particular life stages, tissues (e.g. brain), or population groups, or indeed between research and clinical application.
• questions regarding human research ethics or research integrity, for example around informed consent, use of personal data, research on particular populations, research priority setting, community engagement, and equity in global health research
• questions regarding the moral acceptability of RNA research or the use of RNA innovations by people with particular religious affiliations or in institutions with such affiliations, including considerations of conscience and conscientious objection.
• questions regarding ethical considerations of the use of AI in RNA research, innovation, and application in clinical contexts
• questions about social, environmental, and ecological justice that emerge from RNA research and application, for example scarce resource allocation, balancing social and environmental goods, global access to RNA research and technologies, and responses to global health crises.

Opportunities for methodological and theoretical mentoring and collaborative publishing in high quality journals will be facilitated.

Please note: The successful applicant will be required to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU as a condition of enrolment.

Scholarship package

The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:

Your research community

Principal supervisor

Professor David Kirchhoffer

Professor David Kirchhoffer specialises in fundamental ethical methodology questions concerning the understanding and application of concepts such as human dignity, autonomy and the common good to applied ethical issues.

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Associate Professor Bridget Pratt

Associate Professor Bridget Pratt specialises in ethical issues associated with global health and global health research and with social, environmental and ecological justice in healthcare.

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Faculty 

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy

Research at ACU's Faculty of Theology and Philosophy explores fundamental questions of meaning, ethics, and belief through rigorous scholarship and critical inquiry. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, our researchers engage with contemporary issues in theology, philosophy, and religious studies to foster dialogue, deepen understanding, and contribute to the common good.

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Affiliation

Queensland Bioethics Centre

First established in 1981, and since 2017 a partnership between ACU, the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, and several Catholic health and aged care agencies, the Queensland Bioethics Centre conducts research, education, and public engagement activities in the field of bioethics. 

Research in the Queensland Bioethics Centre includes a range of bioethical issues and methods, from fundamental methodological questions concerning human dignity, conscience and autonomy, to applied ethical questions in clinical ethics, healthcare systems and health research, including social, environmental and ecological justice in healthcare. The QBC partners with key Catholic stakeholders in health and aged care, and its staff serve on national and international ethics committees and networks.

Industry partner

These PhD scholarships are part of the NSW RNA Research & Training Network (NSW-RRTN) (RNA Research & Training Network) and will include a three-month internship with a suitable industry partner in NSW.

How to apply

Applications close: Wednesday 20 January 2026, 11:59 pm AEDT

Step 1: Assess your eligibility

Eligibility

Before you apply, confirm you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Domestic candidates only.
• The eligibility criteria for the PhD program at ACU can be found in the Higher Degree Research Policy.
• The eligibility criteria for research scholarships can be found in the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.

Requirements

In addition to the eligibility criteria, the successful applicants should ideally have:

• evidence of tertiary level knowledge of philosophy or theology;
• evidence of tertiary level knowledge of biomedical science;
• experience in writing publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Conditions

By applying, you acknowledge and accept the following conditions:

• The scholarship package is subject to satisfactory progress and full-time study mode.
• The scholarship conditions align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.
• The successful applicant will be required to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU as a condition of enrolment.

Step 2: Express your interest

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor David Kirchhoffer prior to applying for the PhD program and scholarship, to express their interest and discuss the project in detail.

Email: [email protected]

Step 3: Submit your application

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit all documentation required for an application to the PhD program at ACU, as detailed in the How to Apply instructions, plus:

• A CV outlining relevant academic and practical experience; and
• A cover letter detailing demonstrated interest and/or experience in the program of research described.

When completing the PhD application form, please indicate that you are also applying for a stipend scholarship and include the name of this project "Ethics in RNA research and medicine: human dignity, the common good, and ecological justice".