Researchers in German Studies at the University of Melbourne have wide-ranging expertise in German literature, culture and cultural history. Recent PhD topics supervised by us include:

Adaptations of Kafka for Stage and Screen
Identity and political change in the Eurovision Song Contest
Translation of Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha
Memories of the GDR in Film.

The recent appointment of two new researchers means we have capacity for new projects in German and Austrian Studies in our areas of expertise (see our “find an expert” profiles). German Studies researchers at Melbourne have extensive international networks. In Australia, our program is active in the German Studies Association of Australia network. We host regular, national research seminars and there is a biennial German Studies conference. Doctoral students in German Studies are strongly integrated into the research culture of our program, the Faculty of Arts and the University more broadly.

Doctoral students are well supported throughout their candidature. PhD supervision meetings are held fortnightly or at other intervals by mutual agreement. The Faculty of Arts offers a program of skills-based coursework early in candidature and many professional development opportunities. The Faculty offers funding for essential research activity and to present at international and local conferences. The Graduate Researcher Academic Associates (GRAA) program provides graduate researchers with the opportunity to undertake meaningful, paid academic work in education alongside their candidature.

We seek expressions of interest for doctoral projects beginning in early 2027. Please provide us with the following by 15 July, 2026 (for international applicants) or 15 September, 2026 (Australian applicants):

A CV including education, publications, scholarships and grants and any relevant work experience
Transcripts for your University study to date
A research proposal of at least 1,000 words outlining:

The specific area of your intended research, with a clear title
A brief summary of the key literature in the field
Key research questions you hope to answer
A description of the methodology required to conduct this research.

If you have any questions, please contact the Convenor German Studies, Dr Jonas Teupert

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a zoom interview with potential supervisors. Successful candidates will be supported to submit a full application to the Arts PhD program and for the Melbourne Research Scholarship and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships that provide living stipends, relocation allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover for international students and full fee remission. Selection at the EOI stage does not guarantee selection for the PhD in Arts or the scholarships as these are competitive processes.

Further information about the application process and eligibility for the Doctoral of Philosophy - Arts is available here: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate-research [click here to open]

Dr

Andreas Dorrer

Senior Lecturer in German Studies

School of Languages and Linguistics

Dr

Andreas Dorrer

Contact Andreas

Division

Faculty of Arts

Dr

Andreas Dorrer

Print

Andreas's Short Profile

Enquiries

Contact