Interconnect health research

PhD Scholarship: The health and wellbeing of people with Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics (also known as Intersex variations) in Australia

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research team on a project that aims to develop new knowledge about the health and wellbeing of people with Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics (IVSC) in Australia.

People with IVSCs are a diverse population who share experiences of having innate sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, gonads or hormones) that differ from medical norms for female or male bodies. People with IVSCs have health needs that must be addressed in a timely way across all life stages, and in ways that respect their rights, values and preferences.

A lack of community-based research has adversely impacted knowledge of the health and wellbeing issues affecting adolescents and adults with IVSCs. These populations may have received 'obsolete' and unnecessary treatments without personal consent, often lack appropriate information about their bodies and health needs, and may lack engagement with clinical and community services. Understanding the health and wellbeing experiences of this population is necessary to inform policies and improve models of care.

The PhD studies will be conducted as part of the Interconnect Health Research project, which is being conducted by a national consortium of researchers, community groups and clinicians. A major component of the project will be a survey, led by ARCSHS and conducted in partnership with academics and the project team Australia-wide, aiming to gain a comprehensive understanding of the health, wellbeing and health service experiences of adolescents and adults with IVSCs.

This research will seek to understand:

• The health and wellbeing experiences and needs of people with IVSCs
• The risk and protective factors associated with health and wellbeing outcomes
• Health service experiences, preferences and utilisation among this population

We are seeking a PhD student with a background in sociology, psychology, public health, health promotion, policy or systems science or a related field. Experience in quantitative research and an interest in issues related to IVSC health and wellbeing are highly desirable. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a world-leading team of experts in IVSC health and wellbeing, and key community partners. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake original research as part of their PhD that will complement the Interconnect project.

Expected to commence from March 2026 (or later by negotiation).

This scholarship will have an emphasis on health and wellbeing experiences of people with IVSCs. Possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

• Mental health and wellbeing outcomes of people with IVSCs, including an exploration of risk and protective factors
• Health service experiences and preferences among people with IVSC, this may include both general health service experiences and IVSC-specific health service experiences
• Experiences of discrimination, harassment or abuse, both interpersonal and environmental

The successful candidate will also be invited to participate in project meetings, workshops, and other activities relevant to the specific focus of their PhD.

The successful scholarship applicant will receive a stipend of $36,000 per annum (2026 full-time rate) for 3.5 years, a tuition fee scholarship for four years and allowances.

The successful applicant will be supervised by one or more researchers from Interconnect, including Dr Natalie Amos, Professor Ashleigh Lin and Dr Jordan Hinton from ARCSHS.

To express interest, please send a CV and cover letter outlining your research interests and experience, as well as how you believe you would contribute to this project, to Dr Natalie Amos at n.amos@latrobe.edu.au.

The successful candidate will be based at ARCSHS, La Trobe University.