Vice-Chancellor's Indigenous Doctoral Fellowship Scheme

The RMIT Indigenous Doctoral Fellowship scheme forms part of RMIT’s commitment to providing Indigenous researchers early career opportunities.

Successful applicants receive:

• A Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Doctoral Research Fellowship for four years (flexible work options, including part-time arrangements are available for the successful applicants)
• Academic Level A commencing salary
• Training, development and mentorship through the early career researcher’s development program, which supports researchers to build their research track record and reputation.
• A place in RMIT’s PhD program

As part of the Vice-Chancellor's Indigenous Doctoral Fellowship scheme, you will:

• Conduct research under supervision towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in a chosen discipline and undertake all necessary coursework requirements
• Complete all requisite milestones appropriate to a PhD candidature
• Undertake limited engagement, teaching and supervision activities as required
• Undertake appropriate professional and academic development in support of PhD, teaching and supervision duties.

We’re looking for Indigenous people who are committed to a career in Higher Education: switched-on, collaborative and curious thinkers who have the inspiration, drive and ideas to change Australia – and the world – for the better.

At RMIT we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive workplace where you are welcomed and can belong. We empower you through innovative learning opportunities, flexible workplace practices, embracing employee networks and respecting what makes you, you.

We’re proud to share with you:

• RMIT is transitioning through reconciliation to Responsible Practice to build on respectful ways of working and understanding and to acknowledge the histories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This work continues our progress following our second Reconciliation Action Plan, Dhumbah Goorowa (PDF 2.3 MB).
• RMIT proudly holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award for our commitment to improve gender equity and diversity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines.
• We have been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency for the past 15 years, and were successful in once more obtaining the citation by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency in 2022. 
• We achieved Platinum Employer status for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) from 2019 to 2022, and are in the process of applying to be recognised for our achievements in 2023. 
• We were recognised as a leading organisation and platinum employer in 2020-2021 for workplace accessibility with the Australian Network on Disability. We have also been awarded with Disability Confident Recruiter for 3 years in a row. 

To be eligible for admission to an RMIT University research program, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for admission to a PhD program as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology courses that constitute at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent). The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction* average in the final year; or
• A master’s degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent) with an overall distinction* average or a master’s degree without a research component with at least a high distinction* average; or
• Evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

*At RMIT a grade of distinction represents academic achievement of 70% or higher and a high distinction is 80% or higher.

The Indigenous Doctoral Fellowship is an identified opportunity under ‘Special Measures’ of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 2010. This means that only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply. Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is required once an offer has been made.

If you require support or have questions not answered in the applicant guide (DOCX 165 KB), please contact the recruitment team at VCIDF@rmit.edu.au.

Support for Indigenous staff and students

• Indigenous Applicants
• Ngarara Willim

RMIT’s commitment to Australian Indigenous cultures

• Reconciliation at RMIT
• Respect for Australian Indigenous Cultures

To learn more about RMIT, our programs and the inspiring people we're investing in, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.