PhD Scholarship in Exploring AI-Assisted Language Tools in Urgent Care SettingsImproving

PhD Scholarship in Exploring AI-Assisted Language Tools in Urgent Care SettingsImproving

This is a joint initiative between RMIT’s Translating and Interpreting program and Northern Health. The successful candidate will undertake this pre-defined project jointly scoped by the two parties.

Northern Health operates Victoria’s busiest Emergency Department (ED) and the state-wide Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED), serving a highly diverse population. Despite this, engagement with language services remains low among CALD patients. This PhD project will investigate whether AI-assisted language tools can be used safely and equitably in urgent care settings both in-person and virtual. It will assess communication risks and benefits, explore patient and clinician perspectives, and co-design strategies to improve inclusive communication in ED and VVED environments.

Focus Areas:

  • Baseline analysis of CALD patient engagement in ED and VVED
  • Evaluation the validity, limitations, and risks of AI language tools
  • Perspectives from CALD patients, clinicians, and interpreters
  • Co-design strategies for inclusive communication in urgent care
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$35,886 each year for three years full time

Applications are now open.

Sunday 3 August 2025

1 (One).

The minimum requirements for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program are:

  • a bachelor's degree requiring at least four (4) years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology subjects that constitute at least 25% of a full time (or part time equivalent) academic year. The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction average in the final year; or
  • a master's degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full time (or part time equivalent) academic year with an overall distinction average; or
  • a master's degree without a research component with at least a high distinction average; or
  • evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the ADVC RT&D or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

At RMIT a grade of Distinction represents academic achievement of 70% or higher and a High Distinction is 80% or higher.

More refer to this RMIT link under “2. Check your eligibility”

Email CV, a one-page research proposal, and a cover letter to miranda.lai@rmit.edu.au. Suitable candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed by a joint panel by Northern Health and RMIT representatives.

  • The successful candidate must base in Melbourne Victoria for the duration of the project in order to access the VVED at Northern Health and interact with their research team and other relevant staff members.
  • Onsite attendance at Northern Health is required at times and durations mutually agreed.
  • Complete a 3-month internship of activities jointly designed by RMIT and Northern Health.
  • The PhD must be undertaken as a thesis by/with publications.
  • Duration of scholarship: 3 years x $35,886 per annum
  • Must be able to enrol by 31 October 2025 and commence the candidature between January and June 2026.

This scholarship will be governed by RMIT University's Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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