LocuSAR is active in the advanced training of practitioners in each of our fields. We do so by:

• • developing and delivering advanced courses, curriculum, and masterclasses
  • offering paid training positions within our teams

 

Professional Training Positions

Are you an advanced student or early career researcher with academic training in anthropology, archaeology, history, linguistics or another relevant field?

• Are you interested in exploring whether a research career is for you? Interested in how a private research company works? Wanting to get some practical experience?
• Do you have good basic research skills already? Can you read, write, search and critically assess? Have you got analytic skills? Do you have good attention to detail?
• Are you interested in learning about people and cultures? Do people, media, cultural life interest you? What about history, politics and the law? Social media? Human experience?
• Are you respectful of other people and cultures, a good communicator (face to face, in writing, virtually and more)? Interested in people? Have good manners? Get on with people? Eager to work in a team?
•  Are you already adept with a computer and basic software? Do you have an internet connection to enable you to work from home?

You may be interested in one of our research practice positions. These positions can transform you from a disciplined university student into a research practitioner who is gaining valuable experience.

Research Practice Positions in LocuSAR project teams are available from time to time.

Research practice assistants (RPAs) are employed on a casual basis (from 5 to 35 hrs a week) generally for periods of 4 to 6 months depending on the project. In large projects there is an opportunity for more extended engagement.

These positions are designed to accommodate continuing study, return to work and/or caring responsibilities. We encourage collegiality and facilitate mentoring and peer support across our teams. Research practice assistants are assigned a work supervisor / mentor and provided with guidance on how to carry out tasks, appropriate equipment required to carry out the work they are assigned, and access to in-house study units. Like all members of our teams RPAs can work from home and keep in touch with team colleagues in virtual meetings and occasional face-to-face get togethers.

 

A face-to-face meeting of LocuSAR practice assistants.

 

Expressions of Interest

Register your interest in a RPA position by sending the following to admin@locusar.com.au:

• 1000 words letting us know something about you and why you would like to work with us
• curriculum vitae
• your availability
• 2 academic referees and 1 personal referee

 

Testimonials

 

Hannah Nott (2021 – present):

Honours in Anthropology

The practical skills that are the backbone of anthropology are so suited to being taught in the way that LocuSAR teaches them – almost like an apprenticeship. Shadowing experienced researchers helped me build knowledge, skills and confidence across a broad range of areas. Being able to learn from a team of interdisciplinary experts has been such an invaluable experience both in developing my own skills and understanding the complexities of research. LocuSAR’s interdisciplinary team also encouraged me to think about research questions in more complex and ultimately deeper ways.

 

Luke Kimber (2016 – 2018):

Honours in Anthropology

The interdisciplinary and cohesive group environment of LocuSAR made my experiences with them both enlightening and rewarding. In my opinion, there is a lack of practical knowledge currently taught within some Humanities degrees. LocuSAR helped me fill this gap by providing opportunities to enter the field as an assistant. Some of the ethnographically-aligned skills included photographing sacred sites, filming ceremonial events, eliciting genealogies, recording traditional songs, as well as the development of skills transcribing, data organisation, GPS and mapmaking. These professional skills were invaluable during my Ph.D. research, and I am grateful for my experiences with LocuSAR.

 

Emmeline Tyler (2017-2021):

Majors in Anthropology and Linguistics, Honours in Linguistics

During my time with LocuSAR I had the opportunity to apply theory from my study to practical, real-world research. I learned about studying ethnographic events, eliciting genealogies and data management, as well as analysing research for report-writing. It was thrilling to be involved in ethnographic research that had practical implications for people’s lives.

 

Morgan Harrington (2017 – 2020):

PhD in Anthropology

In addition to developing myriad research skills through extensive, hands-on field work, working with LocuSAR gave me a solid working knowledge of the Land Rights and Native Title Acts, and an appreciation for how the complexities of Aboriginal land tenure systems are interpreted by Australian law. My work was acknowledged and rewarded with greater responsibility, which bought further opportunities for professional development. All of this meant that time I spent with LocuSAR greatly improved my career prospects.

 

Misha Khan (2021):

I did my undergraduate degree at University College London but didn’t get any hands-on research experience until I started working at LocuSAR. I had field experience within the first 3 months of starting here. It has been an incredible eye-opening experience. The environment is extremely supportive, and I have felt well guided throughout my time here. I definitely think I would not have been able to learn so much this quickly without LocuSAR.

 

Bea Fagen (2016 – 2021):

Honours in Linguistics

Working remotely in the field with LocuSAR rapidly developed my ability to apply theoretical knowledge from an undergraduate degree to practical work and applied research. This experience opened opportunities for me elsewhere regarding further studies, research and project work with diverse collaborators. Support and guidance from LocuSAR experts has given me the confidence to pursue a career which I hadn’t considered prior to working with them.