Job No.: 674780
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: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures. A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.
The Opportunity
This PhD scholarship is funded as an important part of an ARC funded project “Asian voyagers and First Nations people in Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria” (DE250100964), conducted by Dr Chris Urwin.
The project will undertake an historical and ethnographic study of cross-cultural encounters between the Yanyuwa Aboriginal community (southwest Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory) and foreign seafarers from the Indonesian archipelago. This history goes back many generations and is remembered in Yanyuwa oral traditions. The project will explore how the cross-cultural relationship is remembered today by Yanyuwa Families, for example through stories, songs, art and by engaging with places once visited by Asian (“Makassan”) voyagers. The successful applicant will contribute to a wider archaeological and ethnographic research project but will also undertake their own distinct PhD project. The project will involve working closely with Yanyuwa Families in the Northern Territory.
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 funded by the Australian Research Council, and will have access to funding to support fieldwork, travel, and conference attendance. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in Indigenous Studies, and from entering a PhD with a pre-existing structure. Finally, the candidate will benefit from being part of outcomes from the research, which may include co-authored publications (where the candidate’s contributions will be recognised through co-authorship), funded symposia, school-engagement exercises, and future grant applications.
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 applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne. Monash Indigenous Studies Centre within the School of Philosophical, Historical and Indigenous Studies (SoPHIS) is a flagship centre in the Faculty of Arts which specialises in conducting research with, by, and for Indigenous communities, including in the fields of history, anthropology, and archaeology. 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 Indigenous history, archaeology, anthropology, or museums 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) Honour’s or Master’s 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 https://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 will not be considered.
The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by the end of April 2025. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.
Enquiries
You are required to discuss your research proposal with Dr Chris Urwin, Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, School of Philosophical, Historical and Indigenous Studies (SoPHIS), Email: Chris.Urwin@monash.edu before you submit an Expression of Interest.
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 records, degree certificates and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
- Names and contact details of 2 academic referees
- Copy of your current passport (if available)
Once you have discussed your EOI with Dr Chris Urwin, please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – PhD Scholarship in the history of First Nations encounters with Asian voyagers”.
Applications Close: Sunday 2 March 2025, 11:55pm AEDT
Supporting a diverse workforce
