• Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for five years.
• Base salary range: Level D, $166,851 – $183,563 p.a. (pro-rata) plus 17% superannuation.

About the area

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is the state’s premier university, and a part of the prestigious Group of Eight Universities in Australia. UWA is committed to creating a dynamic learning environment, with broad scope for personal and intellectual growth, and a key part of its mission is equipping students to be among the world’s change makers.

Rock Art Australia (RAA) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to researching and protecting Kimberley rock art by bringing science and Aboriginal cultural knowledge together.

RRA promotes the study of the art and its context to understand the history of Australia and its significance in the global narrative of human origins. Founded in 1988, RAA has been funding academic research in the Kimberley with leading scientists from multiple universities since 2007.

Western Australia and UWA is in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with a record of human occupation of more than 60,000 years. Surrounded by a wealth of natural and indigenous heritage. Our unique location enables UWA to produce innovative research with worldwide application.

Our teaching and research benefit from a network of national and international collaborators, and our strong industry, philanthropic and government links are contributing to government policy changes in conservation at a local, national and international level.

UWA’s School of Social Sciences has a strong track record in PhD supervision and external research grant success, particularly in the field of Archaeology.

About the opportunity

• Lead ambitious, multidisciplinary research in Kimberley rock art and Indigenous heritage, securing diverse funding sources and influencing national and international policy through impactful research and public engagement.
• Develop micro-credentials and contribute to teaching and supervision in archaeology, fostering educational pathways in Indigenous cultural heritage and conservation.
• Build and lead a high-performing research team, maintain strong partnerships with Rock Art Australia and other stakeholders, and enhance UWA’s profile through outreach, collaboration, and strategic engagement.

About you

• Recognised PhD or Higher doctorate or equivalent in relevant discipline, with anationally excellent professional and academic record.
• An outstanding and demonstrated track record of relevant academic experience, including developing and leading an innovative research program.
• Demonstrated commitment to successfully leading and engaging a research team to build research capability at UWA focused on rock art research in the Kimberley region that extends UWA’s capabilities into new academic areas.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop an interdisciplinary research program and capacity to communicate research outcomes through traditional and non-traditional methods.  
• Commitment to successfully developing an innovative suite of interdisciplinary micro-credentials to support education related to indigenous cultural heritage and management.

Position description:  PD [Rock Art Australia Kimberley Principal Research Fellow] [520494].pdf

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Professor Amanda Davies at amanda.davies@uwa.edu.au  

How to apply

Please apply online via the Apply Now button and address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria.

You may submit a statement describing any personal circumstances relevant to your application. This can include academic/professional interruptions or achievements relative to opportunity.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Learn more about us.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at people@uwa.edu.au with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.