Overview

Career outcomes

A PhD is an essential qualification for a research career in many industry and community settings. A PhD is also a ticket to international research opportunities and being competitive for research funding that can greatly help Indigenous communities.

Many of our graduates go on to work as postdoctoral researchers and as academics with research and teaching careers. They also move into industry and community careers, where the research and professional skills that come with completing a PhD are highly valued. Indigenous academics with PhDs and potential for research excellence are widely sought by university employers.

Employers of PhD graduates include:

• Universities
• International research institutions like CSIRO, the Max Planck Society, and NASA
• UN agencies like UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and World Intellectual Property Organization
• NGOs like ANTaR, CARE Australia, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities
• Government departments like NIAA, DFAT, and Melbourne Water
• Statutory authorities like the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australia Council for the Arts, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority
• Copyright collectives like APRA AMCOS and CAL
• Consulting firms like Deloitte and PWC
• Software and computing companies like IBM, IRESS, and Quantium
• Large financial services companies like ANZ and NAB
• Schools and professional training providers.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of the PhD, the graduate researcher will be able to:

• demonstrate command of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the forefront of a discipline
• independently and systematically engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation
• independently and systematically develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge
• independently and systematically generate original knowledge and understanding such that they can make a substantial contribution to a discipline
• disseminate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context
• demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement and responsibility as an expert and scholar
• demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics and integrity.

Graduate attributes

For graduate attributes, refer to the Graduate Research Hub.