PhD Scholarship in Social Science

PhD Scholarship in Social Science – Muslim women, social cohesion, and Islamophobia

Job No.: 616701

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3-year and 3-month fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Faculty of Arts Research Living Allowance, at current value of $29,500 per annum 2021 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. Faculty will provide the tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) for a successful international awardee.

The Opportunity

This PhD scholarship is funded as an important part of an ARC-funded project ‘Living Well Together: Muslim women, social cohesion, and Islamophobia’ conducted Dr Susan Carland.

The project will investigate the role of gender in initiatives to counter Islamophobia by Muslim women, the reception to these initiatives by non-Muslims, and how these groups understand social cohesion in relation to one another. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods will be used. The successful applicant will join the research team and contribute to the wider project but will also undertake their own distinct PhD project. The details of the PhD project are open to negotiation, but the candidate will undertake a comprehensive critical analysis via focus group fieldwork of the reception by non-Muslims to the countering Islamophobia work run by Muslim women, and attitudes towards social cohesion.

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, transcription, travel, and conference attendance. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in social science, 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. Social Science at Monash is diverse and vibrant, including research expertise in geography, sociology, politics, and sustainability transitions. 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 Social Science. Competence in qualitative research methods is essential. Competence in quantitative research methods is desirable.

Applicants will be considered provided that they fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University which includes English language proficiency skills. Details of eligibility requirements to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at https://arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process/.

Scholarship holders must be enrolled full time and on campus. International candidates are welcome to apply.  Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by mid-June 2021. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.

Enquiries

Dr Susan Carland: Susan.Carland@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 broader project, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research;
• Two samples of academic writing
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
• A full statement of academic record, supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• Contact details of two academic referees

It is important that you contact Dr Susan Carland Susan.Carland@monash.edu prior to submission of the EOI to discuss the project.

Once you have discussed your EOI with Dr Susan Carland, EOIs should be sent, preferably in the form of a single attachment to an email, to Ms Kinda Say, Senior Graduate Research Administrator, Faculty of Arts, at the following email address arts-agr-apply@monash.edu.  State “EOI [your name] - PhD Scholarship in Social Science – Muslim women, social cohesion, and Islamophobia” in the subject heading of the email.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (over Zoom if necessary). The interviews will be conducted in English.

Closing Date

Monday 22 March 2021, 11:55pm AEDT