ARC Discovery funded project: Merchants and Traders in the Jewish World

This is an opportunity to pursue your PhD in Australia, under the supervision of Professor of History Ruth Balint, with co-supervisor Professor of History Julie Kalman, commencing in Term 2, 1 June, 2026.

This PhD project is part of an Australian Research Council - funded project examining the history of Jewish pearl merchants and their networks of trade that connected remote north-west Australia to  Europe and the Middle East in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to develop your own thesis broadly aligned with this project, in particular, the role of Jewish merchants and traders throughout the Commonwealth in linking empire and trade. Alongside Australia, possible case studies include South Africa, New Zealand, India, Rhodesia, Britain and Canada. 

Eligibility

• Domestic and International  PhD & Masters candidates.
• Honours in History

Scholarship

$39,206 per annum (2026 rate), 3.5 years. 

How to apply 

Please email Associate Professor Ruth Balint r.balint@unsw.edu.au a copy of your CV, academic transcripts and letter of interest by the deadline.

Further information on how to apply can be found here HDR Application Process

Application deadline: 27 March 2026