Creating a brighter future for all

Griffith University is a progressive, values-led university dedicated to learning, leadership, and innovation. This is your chance to help us achieve our vision to transform lives and add to human knowledge and understanding in a way that creates a future that benefits all.

Since opening in 1975, Griffith has grown from one campus and 451 students to become a comprehensive, multi-campus institution, with 50,000 students and more than 200,000 graduates.

About the Centre 
The Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE) is a world leader in research and education on all aspects of human evolutionary studies. We provide a dynamic and cooperative research environment that seeks to understand how humans and their societies across the globe evolved over time. We emphasise the study of the biological and cultural evolution of humans and our place in the natural world.

As a research Centre located in Brisbane, we are committed to serious engagement with Indigenous peoples to better understand Australia’s long term cultural story. To more accurately reconstruct the human past, we undertake field and laboratory studies, applying state-of the-art scientific approaches. Our researchers specialize in archaeology, biological anthropology, genetics, palaeontology, geochronology, and rock art studies. 

ARCHE’s key research themes include:

• Global Migrations and Human Diversity
• Human Origins and Behaviour
• The Peopling of Asia, Australia and the Pacific
• The Anthropocene: Long Term Human Shaping of Ecosystems

About the Opportunity
The Research Fellow will contribute to one or more areas of research within ARCHE focusing on Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) work as directed by the Director and senior staff members of ARCHE. The Research Fellow will perform collagen extraction and purification from bones and other collagenous samples. The Fellow will undertake analysis of MALDI-TOF-MS data for taxonomic classification, and LC-MS/MS data for the development of new ZooMS reference markers. Successful candidates will undertake their own cutting-edge research in ZooMS and collaborate on Centre and partner projects. 

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Conduct research using ZooMS that contributes to the research objectives of ARCHE.
• Assume responsibility for management of the ZooMS laboratory including all health and safety requirements.
• Provide expertise in faunal analysis or zooarchaeology.
• Maintain a good publication record in high impact, international, esteemed peer-reviewed journals and to seek competitive funding. 

This is full-time, fixed term (three years) position based at the Griffith University Nathan campus.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent qualifications/work experience in Archaeological Science, Archaeology, Bioinformatics or a related natural science field.

In addition to the above, you will demonstrate:

• Experience with working with ancient proteins or ZooMS analyses.
• A record of peer-reviewed publication.
• Experience in faunal analysis or zooarchaeology.
• Experience in archaeological field work and/or museum work on faunal collections.
• Experience with the coordination of research through to publication.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with proficiency in written and oral English.
• Experience with training students.

Salary Range
The base salary for a Research Fellow (Grade 2) is in the range $100,137 - $ 118,916 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation.  The total package is in the range $117,160 - $139,132 per annum.

How to Apply
Please submit your application online and ensure your application includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the position description: click here)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)

Note:  Application attachments should be saved as .doc, .docx or .pdf only.  File names should be no more than 25 characters long and should include letters and numbers only.

Visa sponsorship is possible for this appointment for candidates who do not hold valid Australian work rights.

What Griffith University Offers

• Flexible working options and genuine work-life balance
• Salary packaging options & corporate health discounts 
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Further Information
For further information about this role, please contact Professor Michael Petraglia, Director, ARCHE via email:  [email protected]

For application support, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on +61 (0) 7 373 56549 or via email:  [email protected]

Closing date:  Friday, 28 October 2022 at 5:00pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.