Monash University
Job No.: 618970
Location: Caulfield campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3-year and 3-month fixed-term appointment
Closing Date: Tuesday, 3rd August 2021, 11:59pm
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a 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/study/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 Australian Research Council (ARC) funded project “Outbound Chinese social media platforms and platform governance” conducted by Dr Luzhou Li. The successful applicant will contribute to the wider project by undertaking their own distinct PhD project. The details of the PhD project are open to negotiation, but it may involve an in-depth investigation of the political economy of Chinese social media platforms, the regulatory and policy issues they raise, social media entrepreneurs and content creators, digital labor, online communities, the operation of Chinese social media platforms outside of China, etc. The project should be grounded in a critical approach to the study of digital media and draws from theoretical frameworks such as political economy of communication, cultural studies, media industry studies, media policy and regulation, and/or critical platform studies.
Undertaking 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 supervision by research leaders in Communications and Media Studies. 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 Caulfield campus in Melbourne. Communications and Media Studies at Monash is diverse and vibrant, and includes internationally recognised researchers who specialise in digital, mobile and automated media, environmental media and communications, feminist media studies, political communication, critical public relations, and cultural industries and policy. We have a strong and supportive research culture, led by widely-cited scholars who are successful in attracting national and international competitive funding.
Candidate Requirements
The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record in Communications and Media Studies or a related discipline. Competence in qualitative research methods is essential.
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 September 2021. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.
Enquiries
Dr Luzhou Li, School of Media, Film & Journalism (luzhou.li@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 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 record, supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
· Contact details of two academic referees
· Copy of your current passport (if available)
It is important that you contact Dr Luzhou Li in the School of Media, Film & Journalism (luzhou.li@monash.edu) prior to submission of the EOI to discuss the project.
Once you have discussed your EOI with Dr Luzhou Li, 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 Digital Media Studies – Chinese Social Media Platforms, Industry, and Policy” in the subject heading of the email.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (over Zoom if necessary). The interviews will be conducted in English.