• Based at our Melbourne, Burwood Campus or Geelong campuses + hybrid work arrangements
• 2-year fixed term position - full time or potential part time options
• Level B $117,684 - $139,191 + 17% Superannuation pro rata part time

Why work with us?

At Deakin you will have access to benefits such as a variety of leave options including generous parental leave and the ability to purchase additional leave; flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance; ongoing learning and development opportunities to grow your career; an inclusive and supportive culture and environment to work in, both online and on campus.

About the School:

The School of Education places high emphasis on research that makes a difference and is solution-led. We work closely with industry partners and government to put findings into practice and to have a positive impact in the field of education.

About the role:

The Research Fellow contributes to the design, delivery and dissemination of high-quality applied research in education. The role focuses on producing rigorous outputs that inform priority areas such as teacher education across local and global contexts. It requires strong methodological capability, particularly in quantitative approaches, and the ability to contribute to large-scale and longitudinal research. Working within and across established research programs, the Research Fellow collaborates with internal and external partners, contributes to grant-funded projects, and supports the development of new research opportunities.

The role includes contributing to publications, funding applications, and stakeholder engagement, with a clear pathway toward increasing research independence. Over time, the Research Fellow is expected to take responsibility for discrete components of projects and contribute to the development of new funded research. This position suits a researcher building a strong applied research profile, comfortable working in collaborative and partner-driven environments, and focused on producing research that informs policy, shapes practice and delivers tangible outcomes in education. Success in this role will be demonstrated through high-quality publications, contribution to externally funded research, and clear evidence of research informing policy and practice.

As a Research Fellow, you will:

• Support, and may lead, applications for research and creative activities, including applications for external competitive funding, external funding for commercialization and translation activities and other funding demonstrating sustained efforts.
• Build a national reputation, based on a growing, focused body of work recognised for quality, excellence and impact and a growing track record of timely delivery of outcomes for industry partners.
• Initiate, design, conducts and may lead intra- and inter-disciplinary research collaborations, to enable major breakthroughs in knowledge and understanding and solutions to complex problems.
• Supervise honours and/or HDR students with timely completions and productive, high-quality outcomes and provide effective mentoring to HDR students to support professional and career development and employability.
• Initiate, design, conduct and may lead in development of industry partnerships and collaboration to enable major breakthroughs, innovative solutions for future translation into real world impact.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• PhD in a relevant discipline and/or other relevant qualifications and experience in the applied education research, with a strong focus on quantitative methodologies and scalable research-informed interventions
• Emerging reputation in research and scholarship through publications in quality journals, and exhibitions where relevant to the discipline.
• Success in obtaining external research funding.
• Ability to contribute to communities through research.
• Capacity to contribute to leadership of research and administration.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues.

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 Damian Blake (Head of School) on damian.blake@deakin.edu.au

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

 Level-B---Research-only_SOE_April 2026.pdf

Applications for this position close on Tuesday 5th May 11.55pm.

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.