Update on Monash University’s fixed-term roles for PhD students

The rising cost of living and Melbourne rental crisis means stable student employment is more important than ever. Here’s what we know about Monash’s 450 fixed-term roles for PhD students.

In mid-April 2023, the Vice-Chancellor announced a plan to offer 450 fixed-term roles to graduate research students in 2023. See the news here.

The MGA expects the University will hold online info sessions about these new positions. Look out for a Monash global email confirming the dates and registration details. 

Here’s what we know so far about these new roles:

• There will be 450 fixed-term roles allocated across the University’s faculties.
• These roles will be available to both full-time and part-time research students.
• Research students at any stage of their degree will be eligible, including prior to Confirmation of Candidature, as long as they have at least one year left in their scholarship/tenure.
• Contracts will be for up-to the duration of the student’s degree (ie. recently-commenced PhD students may be offered a four-year fixed-term contract). 
• They will be part-time to accommodate PhD requirements (between 7.35 and 44.1 hours per fortnight). 
• They are “Assistant Lecturer” positions, classified at Level A. 
• They involve more than just sessional teaching and will include curriculum and course development, class/content delivery and teaching
• Any research undertaken in these roles is separate to the research done as part of the PhD program. 

Saham Hettiarachchi is the MGA’s Research Education Officer and Student Representative (STEMM) on the Graduate Research Committee.

Saham welcomes your feedback on this fixed-term role plan.

For any questions or comments please email: MGA-EC-Education-Research@monash.edu