Company Description

Griffith University is Australia’s leading tourism university and is ranked No.1 in Australia and No.6 in the world in the most recent Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. It is one of only two universities in Australia to receive an ERA 5, indicating tourism research at Griffith University is well above world standards.
Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) is Australia’s largest tourism research institute with over 130 academic, adjunct and PhD members from tourism and tourism-related disciplines, such as technology, economics, architecture, planning and environmental sciences. Our research is renowned for its independence, scholarly rigour and demonstrated impact and influence.

The applicant from time-to-time will liaise with partner organisations connected to the project, including Etheridge Shire Council and their suppliers, regional tourism organisations, local tourism operators, and other government and peak bodies as relevant. There may be an opportunity to be embedded with one or more of these organisations as part of a research internship.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations, with flexible arrangements for remote work as required by the project and in consultation with the PhD supervisors. It is expected that the successful applicant will travel to Etheridge Shire, and other places along the Savannah Way, multiple times during the PhD candidature.

The successful applicant will be based in the Department of Tourism and Marketing in the Griffith Business School.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Job Description

This is an exciting PhD opportunity to join the Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT)’s project “Unearth Etheridge: Tourism Developments along the Savannah Way”. GIFT is working with Etheridge Shire Council to transform Etheridge Shire into a central tourism hub along the Savannah Way. Guided by the Council's comprehensive Tourism Masterplan, the ‘Unearth Etheridge’ project focuses on sustainable tourism development that promotes economic diversification and enhances the visitor experience across the region. The transformative ‘Unearth Etheridge’ project will deliver four tourism infrastructure developments along the Savannah Way, aligning with the Etheridge Shire’s 10-year Tourism Masterplan and key regional, state, and national priorities.

Connected to and extending the ‘Unearth Etheridge’ project, this PhD project will investigate the opportunities, challenges and processes involved in developing and positioning the Savannah Way as a world-renowned drive route. The Savannah Way is a 3,700km route connecting Cairns with Broome. Continued development of the Savannah Way is critical for the sustainable and resilient development of remote communities in Northern Australia, with tourism a key vehicle to drive economic growth. Outcomes of this PhD project will inform policy to guide peak bodies, government agencies and local communities to develop diverse yet complementary tourism offerings across each region, encouraging the dispersal of domestic and international visitors along the Savannah Way.

As a PhD candidate connected to the ‘Unearth Etheridge’ project team, you’ll take on complex challenges, using your skills and experience to advance and drive meaningful change. You will work under the supervision of the Project Leads Associate Professor Anna Kralj and Professor Brent Moyle to generate new interdisciplinary knowledge of the structural, organisational and personal factors affecting the development of route tourism in remote Australia. The evidence base of the PhD project will draw from and also build on various elements of the ongoing program of research and consultancy the ‘Unearth Etheridge’ project team is conducting with Etheridge Shire Council and will inform future strategies for tourism development along the Savannah Way.

Qualifications

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. Expressions of interest can only be accepted from domestic applicants. Applicants with a background in stakeholder engagement and community consultation in remote Australian communities, community-led design principles, visitor interpretation and project management will be preferred. You also need to be able to work effectively with industry partners to solve real-world problems.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic applicants only.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to second class (division A) honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:

• Extensive experience in community consultation, experience design, interpretive design and content creation is highly desirable.
• Experience working with communities in remote Australia is desirable.

Additional Information

About the scholarship
This 2025 Scholarship has an annual stipend of $34,752 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information. This project also includes a annual stipend Top-Up Scholarship of $17,000 for a period of up to three years of full-time study.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EOI Process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a copy of your academic transcript
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: Tuesday 22nd April 2025 at 5pm AEST.

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

For project related enquiries please contact:
Associate Professor Anna Kralj
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]