Job Title

PhD Scholarship for a Design-Led Research Program on the Future of CT Imaging in Distributed CareJob No:680923Location:Caulfield campusEmployment Type: Full-timeDuration:3-year fixed-term appointmentTuition Fees: Fully coveredResources: Access to fabrication, prototyping, and simulation facilities, as well as clinical testing sites and international collaboration opportunitiesProgram OverviewMonash Universitys Design Health Collab is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity for a candidate to undertake applied research in intelligent task guidance technologies that support CT scanning by generalist clinicians working in distributed healthcare settings.Design Health Collab is a cross-disciplinary design research lab dedicated to the advancement of healthcare technologies, systems, and services through applied design practice. With a portfolio spanning mobile imaging, wearable technologies, and distributed models of care, DHC leads collaborative research across healthcare, government, and industry.In this context,intelligent task guidancerefers to the design of technologies and systems that assist non-specialist healthcare providers, such as a primary care physician, to safely and effectively perform clinical procedures that fall within an expanded scope of capability. In this case, the focus is on diagnostic imaging. The aim is to extend the reach of diagnostic and treatment services in environments where specialist support is unavailable, without compromising safety, accuracy, or quality of care.The PhD is funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as part of itsPARADIGM program , a multi-institutional initiative to develop deployable, hospital-grade care systems for underserved and remote communities. The candidate will be embedded within this program, working in parallel with a multidisciplinary team designinga ruggedised mobile CT scanner in collaboration with Micro-X Inc., while engaging closely with clinical stakeholders and system engineers.This research does not centre on the hardware design but on the technologies and systems that support its use, including AI, embedded interfaces, and mixed-reality tools. The emphasis is on designingadvanced interaction models and procedural guidance systemsthat enable safe, effective, and intuitive use of imaging equipment by non-specialists.Research ScopeThe successful candidate will undertake original, practice-based research across areas such as:Task Guidance Design: How can procedural support be embedded within the mobile care environment to scaffold operator confidence and reduce cognitive load?Interaction Sequencing: What models of interface flow and human-system interaction best support safe use under pressure or with limited training?Technological Integration: What roles might advancing technologies, such as artificial intelligence, mixed reality displays, context-aware prompts, or embedded feedback, play in supporting diagnostic imaging workflows?Error Mitigation and Trust: How can interfaces and interaction systems reduce the likelihood of operator error while building trust in semi-automated diagnostic tools?Your research will include speculative design, rapid prototyping, and real-world evaluation. The aim is to generate outcomes that inform the current CT scanner in development and shape the future of imaging modalities intended for distributed or autonomous operation.Supervision and Research EnvironmentLab: Design Health Collab, Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Monash UniversityPhD Supervisors: Dr Nyein Chan Aung, Dr Myra Thiessen, and Dr Indae HwangIndustry Collaborators: Micro-X Inc. (SeaTac, WA) and ARPA-H (USA)Setting: Embedded within a large-scale, international, design-engineering-clinical collaborationCandidate ProfileWe welcome applications from industry professionals as well as academic researchers. This opportunity is best suited to candidates with demonstrated experience in:Design-led projectsDesigning for complex or high-consequence systemsHuman-centred product, service, or interaction design in healthcare, defence, or critical infrastructureApplied human-computer interaction or cognitive ergonomicsDesigning for safety, usability, or performance in constrained or distributed environmentsApplicants should demonstrate strong skills in prototyping, systems thinking, and collaborative research. Prior experience in healthcare is beneficial but not essential.Funding and SupportTuition Fees: Fully coveredResources: Access to fabrication, prototyping, and simulation facilities, as well as clinical testing sites and international collaboration opportunitiesApplication ProcessThis position follows atwo-stage selection process.A brief research proposal(12 pages) that addresses the following questions:What do you see as the critical design challenges or opportunities in enabling non-specialists to operate CT imaging in mobile healthcare environments?What kinds of design methods or research strategies would you use in this challenge? For example:Would you begin with workflow mapping, interface audits, or observational fieldwork?Would you prototype interface ideas early or conduct user scenario testing in a simulation?What role might participatory or co-design approaches play?What types of technologies or interface modes do you believe are promising in this context? You dont need to commit to a solution or specific technologies. We are interested in how you might explore possibilities. These might include:Advanced UIs beyond a touch screen, audio prompts, visual overlays, physical affordances, decision trees, or conversational toolsWhat criteria would guide your design approach? Would you prioritise ease of learning, error reduction, operator confidence, trust in system feedback, or something else?What excites you about practice-based research in a healthcare environment? Where do you think your work could meaningfully inform both design and deployment?ACV and design portfolio, which should include:Relevant professional and academic workEvidence of process capability (e.g., user flows, workshop facilitation, technical integration)A shortstatement of motivationexplaining your interest in healthcare design and in this specific opportunityStep 2: Interview and Proposal DevelopmentShortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with the supervision team to discuss their proposal before being invited to submit a full application.Applications Close: Thursday31 July 2025, 11:55pm AESTMonash University recognises that its Australian campuses are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Kulin nations, and pays its respects to their elders, past and present.We will email you new jobs that match this search.Great, we can send you jobs like this, if this is your first time signing up, please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.The email address was invalid, please check for errors.Design research that seeks to address improved accessibility to public transport from those who have physical impairment. This project will have shared supervision between the Mobility Design Lab and Monash Institute of Rail Technology.Design research that seeks to address improved accessibility to public transport from those who have physical impairment. This project will have shared supervision between the Mobility Design Lab and Monash Institute of Rail Technology. #J-18808-Ljbffr