3 PhD Scholarships in Australian Archaeology
Job No.: 690499
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5 years fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $37,145AUD per annum 2026 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.
The Opportunity
Up to 3 PhD scholarships are offered as important parts of an ARC-funded project Katungal: Managing Archaeological Sites Threatened by Sea Level Rise, 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.
These PhD projects will be part of the broader ARC project that aims to investigate the deep-time Aboriginal occupation of the shoreline and near-shore environments of Gippsland, GunaiKurnai Country, Victoria. The successful PhD candidates will each be expected to archaeologically excavate, analyse and write-up for their PhDs the results one or more ancestral cultural sites such as shell “middens” in GunaiKurnai Country. The successful PhD candidates are 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 the coast and/or offshore islands, impacts of people and/or climate change on coastal landscapes, and/or the archaeology of settlement systems are welcomed.
Undertaking these PhDs as part of a larger project has several advantages. First, the successful candidates 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 candidates will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in Indigenous archaeology, and from entering their PhDs with a pre-existing structure. Thirdly, at the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre the candidates 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. Finally, the candidates will benefit from being part of outcomes from the research, which may include funded Australian conference participation, and co-authored publications (where the candidates’ contributions will be recognised through co-authorship) and future grant applications. The successful candidates will be strongly encouraged to lead publications on the topic of their PhD theses, under the mentoring of GLaWAC, Professor David and Dr Ashleigh Rogers and/or Dr Jessie Birkett-Rees as additional supervisors.
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 applicants 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 applicants will each 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) 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 www.monash.edu/arts/graduate_research/how-to-apply 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 candidates 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 applicants will be expected to enrol by 1 June 2026, with earlier enrolment possible. There may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement of the PhDs.
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 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 Professor Bruno David, please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – PhD Scholarship in Australian Archaeology”.
Closing Date: Monday 9 March 2026, 11:59pm
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