PhD: Motivation and Engagement in Residential Aged Care

Western Sydney University’s MARCS Institute is offering a funded PhD on how motivation and engagement can be supported for older people in residential aged care, including residents with changing cognitive needs, a key area for dementia research in care homes.

MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

Lead Supervisor: Professor Celia Harris

Celia.Harris@westernsydney.edu.au

Motivation and engagement are central to health, wellbeing and quality of life in later life. For older people living in residential aged care, motivation can influence participation in everyday activities, social connection, physical activity, rehabilitation, and engagement with meaningful routines. However, aged care environments often face practical challenges that make it difficult to support sustained motivation and participation, particularly for residents with changing cognitive, emotional or physical needs.

This PhD project will focus on how motivation and engagement can be understood, supported and improved within residential aged care. The successful candidate will be able to develop a project that focuses on selected aspects of motivation, participation and wellbeing in later life, while contributing to a broader ARC Linkage project on harnessing motivation science in aged care settings.

The project may examine psychological, social, environmental and practical factors that support or limit motivation and engagement in everyday aged care contexts. Depending on the candidate’s interests and expertise, the project could focus on topics such as meaningful activity, social connection, autonomy, goal-setting, physical movement, behaviour change, psychosocial wellbeing, or technology-supported engagement. The project may involve mixed-methods research, including quantitative measures, interviews, observations, surveys, co-design, and/or the development and evaluation of practical strategies and interventions for residents, families and care teams.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team with expertise in cognitive science, psychology, ageing, dementia, health and aged care. They will have the opportunity to conduct applied research in real-world aged care settings, working collaboratively with researchers, aged care providers and older people. This project is suited to a candidate with interests in psychology, cognitive science, health, ageing, dementia, allied health, nursing, exercise science, or related fields, and who is motivated to contribute to research that improves wellbeing and quality of life for older people in residential aged care.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $38,707 (AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RAP) Fee Offset.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applications from motivated candidates who are keen to apply their skills to key issues in motivation and wellbeing for older people living in residential aged care. This project is particularly suitable for applicants with strong interests in psychology, cognitive science, allied health, exercise science and/or older person nursing, and who are enthusiastic about mixed‑methods research conducted in real‑world aged care settings.

Essential Selection criteria:

The successful applicant will:

• Hold qualifications and research experience equivalent to one of the following:
  – Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree
  – Coursework Masters with at least 25% research component
  – Research Masters degree
  – Equivalent overseas qualification.
• Demonstrate strong academic performance in areas relevant to psychology, health, and/or the wellbeing of older people.
• Have experience conducting research with human participants, including use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods (or a clear capacity and willingness to develop these skills).
• Be willing to learn and apply skills for engaging sensitively with older people living in residential aged care, and for working within complex fieldwork environments that prioritise participant wellbeing and safety, as well as constructive relationships with industry partners.
• Be enthusiastic and highly motivated to undertake advanced study within a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary research team.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with academic, clinical, and industry stakeholders.
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating good organisational skills and the capacity to manage project timelines.
• Ability to work on-site at WSU Westmead campus as well as capacity to engage in fieldwork trips within NSW, with potential overnight stays.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working sensitively with older adults and/or vulnerable populations and/or prior experience in residential aged care or comparable field settings.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following: motivation and behaviour change, wellbeing and mental health in later life, psychosocial or exercise‑based interventions, or technology‑enhanced programs for older adults.

This scholarship is open to Australian domestic students only.

Applications close: 31 October 2026

PS2026_082_CS0673791_MARCS