PhD Scholarship: Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Transitional Justice

About the role

The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Griffith University is seeking a PhD candidate to join its Indo-Pacific research team. The project analyses non-legal pathways to survivor-centred justice for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) survivors in post-conflict contexts across the Indo-Pacific, including transitional justice and reparative programs. It welcomes proposals on one post-conflict context, historical contexts, contemporary conflicts, or frontier wars undergoing truth and reconciliation processes.

Required profile

• Evidence of conflict-related sexual violence research, advocacy or practitioner expertise (essential)
• Experience with mixed or multiple methods research (essential)
• Bachelor's degree with honours (first-class equivalent) or a Master's degree with a significant research component, or equivalent level
• Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident
• Prior field research experience in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand (desirable)
• Authorship on journal publications or reports (desirable)

Required skills

• Mixed or multiple methods research
• Research proposal covering a research question, a brief literature review on CRSV and non-legal justice pathways, and a proposed mixed-method design

What we offer

• Stipend of $36,000 per year for three years (full-time, fixed rate), with an optional CEVAW top-up of $10,000 per year
• Supervision by Professor Sara Davies and Dr Phyu Phyu Oo, with possible associate supervision from CEVAW Chief Investigators at other universities
• Networking opportunities through conferences and partner organisations
• Indigenous Australian candidates may also apply for the GUIAPRS, with an annual stipend of $55,379 (2026 rate) and an optional CEVAW top-up

Applicants submit an expression of interest by email by 30 November 2026, including a statement of suitability, a 1,000-word research proposal, a writing sample, proof of degree, a CV and two referees. The preferred applicant is then invited to apply online.