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Social inequality and bone health in ancient human populations.

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Biological sciences, Health sciences, History, heritage and archaeology, Human society

Project description

In this project you will work with existing bone mineral density and histology data from archaeological human populations. You will draw on modern human datasets to undertake temporal and spatial comparisons with ancient populations. You will apply a social determinants of health approach to these data and aim to create a model of human health resilience and vulnerability in an archaeological framework. 

Research environment

You will be part of an ARC funded Future Fellowship interdisciplinary network, which connects archaeologists, anthropologists, and bone biologists in the US, UK, and across Australia. Your advisory team will constitute experts in archaeology and evolutionary biology at UQ and the ANU. You will have access to a world class microscopy laboratory at UQ and an opportunity to train in synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy in Melbourne.

Scholarship

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
  • your tuition fees covered

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Supervisor

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Preferred educational background

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

  • previous academic record
  • publication record
  • honours and awards
  • employment history.

A working knowledge of social determinants of health would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of biological archeology and or/anthropology and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of bone (micro) anatomy is highly desirable.

How to apply

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2026. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2025 30 June, 2025.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

  1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  2. Prepare your documentation.
  3. Contact Dr Justyna Miszkiewicz (j.miszkiewicz@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

  • My higher degree is not collaborative
  • I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
  • UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now

This project is not available to international students