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The School of Humanities is welcoming applications for a Tom Austen Brown Postdoctoral Research Associate in Archaeology to carry out research into Pre-colonial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate you will design a research project in Pre-colonial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology, on a theme aligned with the research interests of the Discipline of Archaeology, the University of Sydney. Applicants are encouraged to design their project in discussion with members of the Discipline.

You will have expertise in a specialist area which complements the Discipline of Archaeology. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate you will also have the opportunity to apply for internal research funding up to $10,000 per year.

In addition to research, you will also be formally involved in the interdisciplinary Vere Gordon Childe Centre (VGCC) as a Core Member and will be able to participate in centre themes and events. Your office will be located in the centre in the historic Madsen Building on the Camperdown Campus.

Key responsibilities will be to:

• work cooperatively with members of the Discipline of Archaeology


• take responsibility for progressing the identified research program


• supervise an honours student each year


• mark an honours thesis each year


• present work in various forms such as national, international conferences and Discipline and other seminars


• submit research project results for publication with the Tom Austen Brown Series in Australasian Archaeology or other approved venue


• deliver an agreed number of guest lectures (up to eight) into Discipline of Archaeology undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses per year


• be an active Core Member of the VGCC


• subject to the submission of a DECRA, Future Fellowship or other agreed Award/Fellowship in the second year of the position, the applicant may apply for a 12 month extension to their contract.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. Applications from First Nations or members of the Global South are especially welcomed.

You will have significant experience working with First Nations or other local communities and advanced experience in self-directed research.  This includes the demonstrated ability to design and deliver fieldwork. Experience delivering public and community outputs, such as community open days is also highly desired.

We see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Tom Austen Brown Postdoctoral Research Associate in Archaeology who has an outstanding record against the following Selection Criteria:

• a PhD in Pre-colonial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or other oral/non-written society archaeologies


• an advanced understanding of a specialist area which complements the Discipline


• experience working with First Nations or other source communities


• demonstrated publication track record including non-traditional research outputs relative to opportunity.

Researchers are eligible to apply if they are within five years of the conferral date of their PhD, or longer if combined with an allowable period of career interruption. Eligible career interruptions include: international relocation (up to three months); caring responsibilities, disability, disaster management and recovery, limited or no access to facilities and resources, medical conditions, non-research positions; parental leave; unemployment (for a period of time commensurate with the interruption) and being the primary carer of a dependent child (up to two years).

Applicants wishing to be considered for career interruptions are required to supply an Eligibility and Career Interruption Statement detailing the nature of the eligible career interruption and the dates and period of time claimed.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: visa sponsorship is available for the preferred candidate if required.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.