• Flexible location + hybrid work arrangements
• 0.4FTE Part-time and fixed-term for 12 Months
• Level A $83,268 - $111,939 + 17% Superannuation

Benefits for working with us!

At Deakin, we offer more than just a job — we offer a lifestyle. Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, you’ll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more. Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow — whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

As an Associate Research Fellow, you will:

• Conduct high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities generating high impact outputs, with mentorship
• Engage collaboratively to participate in novel and high-quality research or creative activities
• Support and may lead applications for funding for research and creative activities
• Build awareness of industry partners and participates in opportunities for research partnerships
• Begin building a body of work and reputation and recognition for quality, excellence and impact
• Develop early career research plan with guidance from mentors and supervisors Adopt culture of research excellence, innovation and impact                                                                                                                                    

To be successful, you’ll have:

• PhD in a relevant discipline and/or other relevant professional qualifications (for example, in an allied health discipline relevant to lifestyle intervention such as nutrition, exercise science, occupational therapy or physical education in primary school) and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with children and their families in community, educational, or clinical settings.
• Strong ability to engage children using developmentally appropriate, child-centred, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
• Emerging research and scholarship through publications, and/or exhibitions as appropriate to the discipline.
• Ability to contribute to communities through research.
• Capacity to contribute to teaching, research and administration.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues.
• Ability to contribute to community engagement for research.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Associate Professor Lisa Olive on lisa.olive@deakin.edu.au.  

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD_Associate Research Fellow.pdf

Applications for this position close at 11.55pm on the 1^st of Feburary 2026.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations. 

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.