Senior Research Fellow

Role type: Full Time; Fixed term until 31 December 2028  
Faculty: Faculty of Arts 
Department/ School:  School of Social and Political Sciences  
Salary: Level C - $149,701 - $172,613  p.a. plus 17% super  

•  Collaborative research initiative / Transformative impact on disability employment services / Engage with leading industry partners. 

•  Apply now to contribute to pioneering research that enhances employment services for people with disabilities. 

• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.  

The University of Melbourne  
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website. 

Your next career opportunity  
As a Senior Research Fellow based in the Australian Welfare and Work Lab, you will be at the heart of a innovative project aimed at improving employment support for people with disabilities. You will collaborate with industry leaders and academic peers to co-create evidence-based innovations that can be scaled across regions. This role offers you the chance to conduct impactful fieldwork, engage with diverse stakeholders, and disseminate research outcomes that influence policy and practice. 

Your responsibilities will include:  

• Develop Project Design and Methods: Work with the project team and non-academic partners to develop the project design and methods. 

• Conduct Fieldwork and Data Collection: Engage with various employment service organisations and participants to gather valuable insights. 

• Disseminate Research Outcomes: Publish academic papers, prepare policy briefs, and present findings at conferences and workshops. 

• Facilitate Learning Panels: Organise and lead panels to foster collaborative learning and evidence co-creation. 

You may be a great fit if:  

You are an experienced researcher with a PhD in a relevant field, possessing strong project management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to drive impactful research outcomes. 

You may also:  

• Possess a PhD in public policy, political science, sociology, or social policy. 

• Have demonstrated experience in managing research projects effectively. 

• Be adept at building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including industry partners and policy officials. 

• Excel in conducting empirical social research with qualitative or mixed-methods design. 

• Have experience in action research methodologies and using qualitative data analysis software like NVivo. 

For further information, please refer to the attached PD.  

What we offer you  
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:  

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being  

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance  

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance  

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program  

For more information check out our benefits page!  

Your new team – “School of Social and Political Sciences”  
You will join the Australian Welfare and Work Lab, a collaborative research initiative in the Faculty of Arts that pioneers collaborative research with industry partners to build the evidence base for best practice models in the governance and delivery of employment services. You will also be part of the School of Social and Political Sciences, which is home to a dedicated team of academic and professional staff in the disciplines of Anthropology and Development Studies, Criminology, Gender Studies, Political Science, and Sociology. Through excellence in teaching and research, and in partnership with our communities, we are: 

 
• Redefining and addressing today’s most important challenges 
• Creating, curating, challenging and enriching knowledge; and 
• Reshaping understandings of our multicultural and swiftly changing world 

 
Our work is underpinned by our values of intellectual freedom, integrity, social justice, diversity, and environmental sustainability. Through our research and teaching our ambition is to redefine the world and change what matters. 

Be Yourself  
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb. 

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page. 

Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants  
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring outlines our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.  
    
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with "Korin-Korin" our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected] for further information and support.   

Please note: This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available. 
 

A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is  for all positions. If successful, we'll guide you through the WWCC application process during onboarding and reimburse the cost. 

 
Join Us and unlock your career potential  
If this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:  

• Resume  

• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience  

• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)