"3 x Research Fellow"

Be Part of Australia’s Leading Social Impact Network

3 Opportunities available | Full-time or Part time (0.6FTE - 1.0FTE), fixed-term (2 years) at our Hawthorn campus

Academic Level B salary + 17% super and staff benefits

About CSI Swinburne

CSI Swinburne is one of four university nodes of The Centre for Social Impact (CSI); a national research and education network dedicated to catalysing social change for a better world.

CSI’s research develops and brings together knowledge to understand current social challenges and opportunities; our postgraduate and undergraduate education develops social impact leaders; and we aim to catalyse change by drawing on these foundations and translating knowledge, creating leaders, developing usable resources, and reaching across traditional divides to facilitate collaborations.

About the Role

Are you passionate about creating meaningful, measurable change? Do you want your research to shape policy, strengthen communities and influence real-world practice?

The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) Swinburne is seeking three outstanding Research Fellows to help grow our research capacity, deepen our impact and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

As a Research Fellow, Social Impact, you will play a key role in advancing impactful, industry-engaged research. You will contribute to projects across one or more of the following areas:

• Social enterprise and social finance
• Measuring and communicating social impact
• Community services innovation
• Outcomes-based funding and commissioning
• Employment and employment service system reform for marginalised groups

You’ll contribute across the full research lifecycle — from design and data collection to publication and real-world impact. Along the way, you’ll help manage dynamic research projects, collaborate with partners across government, industry and community, support postgraduate researchers, and strengthen national and international partnerships that amplify the Centre’s impact.

This is an opportunity to conduct research that doesn’t just sit on a shelf — it drives change. If you’re ready to advance research that makes a difference — and to grow your academic career in a highly engaged, impact-focused environment — we’d love to hear from you.

About You

You are a collaborative and driven researcher who thrives in applied, real-world contexts. You bring:

• Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading research projects, including practice-based research
• Strong research design, data collection and analysis skills
• A track record (or clear potential) in producing high-quality academic publications and/or Non-Traditional Research Outputs
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects or attracting research funding
• Strong project management skills, including managing client and funder relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to balance competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to budget and schedule
• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary environments
• Industry, consulting or sector engagement experience with established professional networks

Qualifications

A postgraduate qualification in a related field with significant relevant government, Industry and/or higher education experience is essential.

We strongly encourage candidates who have a lived experience of a disability to apply for this role. An earned doctoral qualification in the relevant discipline or related field would be advantageous.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: Wednesday 11 March 2026, at 11.00pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.