IKI Fellows
Successful applicants under the IKI Fellows scheme will be employed at 0.2 FTE salary and receive additional research project funding of up to $20,000 per year for two years.
STATUS: Closed. The next funding round will take place in 2023
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute (IKI) is one of five Melbourne Interdisciplinary Research Institute at the University. IKI’s purpose is to work with Indigenous knowledge holders and partners to advance research and aligned engagements with Indigenous knowledge.
About the IKI Fellows scheme
This position presents a unique opportunity for a mid-career or senior Knowledge Holder, Traditional Owner, and/or Ceremonial Leader to work as a Fellow of the Indigenous Knowledge Institute at the University of Melbourne.
Reporting to the IKI Director, as an IKI Fellow, you will be supported to develop and undertake a focused two-year program of research to realise your vision for advancing Indigenous knowledge scholarship and exchanges. IKI’s investments in research initiatives are guided by four priority areas:
- Country — Indigenous knowledge of sustaining environments and ecologies
- Law — Indigenous knowledge in maintaining law, governance, and social cohesion
- Culture — Indigenous knowledge as applied through culture and creative expressions
- Futures — translating Indigenous knowledge for new applications
Three IKI Fellowships are available this round at Academic Levels C, D, or E:
- A successful applicant at Level C will demonstrate mastery in Indigenous knowledge and excellent performance in related practice and a capacity to establish research partnerships and translate Indigenous knowledge into new contexts.
- A successful applicant at Level D will demonstrate exceptional distinction in Indigenous knowledge and achievements in related practice and a capacity to establish research partnerships and translate Indigenous knowledge into new contexts nationally or internationally.
- A successful applicant at Level E will demonstrate outstanding performance in Indigenous knowledge and pre-eminence in related practice and a capacity to establish research partnerships and translate Indigenous knowledge into new contexts of international standing.
Each IKI Fellowship awarded attracts a Research Project Grant of $20,000 per annum for two years. Successful applicants will be invited by IKI to outline their anticipated project budget for approval.
Download the IKI Fellows Position Description Download the IKI Fellows FAQs document
Eligibility and selection criteria
Mid-career or senior Knowledge Holders, Traditional Owners, and/or Ceremonial Leaders are eligible to apply to be an IKI Fellow. Applicants must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to be eligible. Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
- Extensive experience maintaining and/or revitalising Indigenous knowledge and related cultural and/or environmental practice. This may include comprehensive ceremonial and/or community leadership capabilities.
- Established leadership and influence within Indigenous community contexts and related organisations.
- Excellent ability to establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders and translate Indigenous knowledge into research project and communication contexts.
- Excellent ability to co-create and participate in research projects and contribute to publishing findings as ‘traditional’ (written and refereed) and/or ‘non-traditional’ (creative and public audience) academic outputs.
- Excellent ability to present on Indigenous knowledge and related research at internal and public events, meetings, and gatherings, including conferences and public lectures.
- Excellent communication skills and capacity to work constructively and collaboratively to build rapport within a diverse work environment.
Key dates
Key dates for the IKI Fellows scheme are set out in the table below:
Applications open | Tuesday 30 November 2021 |
Information/drop-in sessions | One-on-one discussion with IKI Director on request |
Applications close | 11:59 PM AEDT on Friday 21 January 2022 |
Assessor reviews | Late January-early February 2022 |
Applicant interviews | Early-mid February 2022 |
Applicant outcomes | Late February 2022 |
Fellows commence | March 2022 onwards |
See also the IKI Charter for Research with Indigenous Knowledge Holders.
How to apply
You can find further information about the scheme by downloading the position description and FAQs document below. The position can also be found on the University's Careers page.
Download the IKI Fellows Position Description Download the IKI Fellows FAQs document
To apply, please download the application form below (available in either PDF or Word format).
Download the Application Form (PDF 198.7 KB)Download the Application Form (DOCX 194.9 KB)
Send your completed application form and CV/resume to Indigenous-knowledge@unimelb.edu.au by the due date.
For more information contact us at Indigenous-knowledge@unimelb.edu.au. Appointments to discuss applications with the IKI Director are available on request.