PhD Scholarship in Australian Archaeology

Job No.: 670427

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $35,013AUD per annum 2024 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures.

The Opportunity

A PhD scholarship is offered as an important part of an ARC-funded project Before and After the Last Ice Age: GunaiKurnai Archaeology along the Snowy, conducted by a team of transdisciplinary researchers co-ordinated by Elder Uncle Russell Mullett of the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and Professor Bruno David of Monash University.

This PhD project will be part of the broader ARC project that aims to investigate the deep-time Aboriginal occupation of the limestone country of the Buchan region in inland East Gippsland, GunaiKurnai Country, Victoria. The successful PhD candidate will each be expected to archaeologically excavate, analyse and write-up for their PhD the results of one or more excavations of caves, rock shelters or open sites in or adjacent to the Buchan limestone country. The successful PhD candidate is expected to have reasonable excavation experience, but will be mentored into fine-grained excavation methods approved by both GLaWAC and Professor David at Monash. Applications that focus on specialised topics such as those relating to archaeological faunal remains, geoarchaeology, stone artefact analysis, the specialised use of caves and/or the archaeology of settlement systems are welcomed.

Undertaking this PhD as part of a larger project has several advantages. First, the successful candidate will be integrated into an already successful research agenda that has been requested and approved by the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and funded by the Australian Research Council, and will have access to funding to support fieldwork and archaeological analysis such as radiocarbon dating. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in Indigenous archaeology, and from entering their PhD with a pre-existing structure. Third, at the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre the candidate will be part of an exciting cohort of postgraduates and Early Career to more senior researchers committed to researching in community-requested and community-led research in a range of inter-related disciplines. The successful candidate will be strongly encouraged to lead publications on the topic of their PhD theses, under the mentoring of GLaWAC and Professor David.

About Monash University

Monash University is the largest university in Australia and regularly ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide. Monash has six globally networked campuses and international alliances in Europe and Asia. The successful applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne. Indigenous Archaeology at Monash is diverse and vibrant, and has access to four dedicated laboratories. We have a strong and supportive research culture, led by internationally recognised scholars successful in attracting national and international competitive funding.

Candidate Requirements

The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record in archaeology and related disciplines, and preferably also some undergraduate training in social anthropology or Indigenous studies. Competence in both quantitative and qualitative research methods is desirable.

In its assessment, the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honours or Masters degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class Honours/H1 awarded.

Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process.  Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.

Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD in archaeology will not be considered.

The successful candidate will need to abide by GunaiKurnai cultural protocols as guided by the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation when undertaking this research, and by the Monash and AIATSIS Codes of Ethics.

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol before 1 July 2025, with earlier enrolment possible. There may be some further flexibility as to the date of commencement of the PhD. 

Enquiries:  Before completing your research proposal, you are required to discuss your research proposal with Professor Bruno David, Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, Monash University.

Email: bruno.david@monash.edu

Submit an Expression of Interest

EOIs shall comprise:

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability
• A brief research proposal not exceeding 750 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
• A full statement of academic record and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
• 2x academic referee letters
• Copy of your current passport (if available)

Once you have discussed your EOI with Professor Bruno David, please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – PhD Scholarship in the Before and After the Last Ice Age: GunaiKurnai Archaeology along the Snowy ARC Project”.

Applications Close: Sunday 15 December 2024, 11:55pm AEDT