AFWI Research or Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry Indigenous Australian Theme lead

Role type: Full Time (1.0 FTE); Fixed Term for 4 years
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department/School: School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
Salary: Level of appointment is subject to qualification and experience
Level B: $124,656 - $148,023 p.a plus 17% super
Level C: $149,701 - $172,613 p.a. plus 17% super
Only Indigenous Australians are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).

Your new team – Centre for Climate-Smart forestry
The Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry (CCSF) is a national research centre bringing together industry, researchers, government and Traditional Owners to tackle some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s forest and wood products sector. Hosted by the University of Melbourne, CCSF is focused on practical, collaborative research that supports climate resilience, innovation and real-world impact.

School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences
The School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES) brings together diverse discipline strengths to lead the development of new interdisciplinary and high-impact solutions for global challenges relating to climate change, food security, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species, and environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices.

Your next career opportunity
You will lead the Indigenous Australians and Forests cross-cutting theme within the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI)-funded Centre for Climate-Smart Forestry, designing and delivering a coordinated research programme that embeds Indigenous knowledge and values across Centre activities. You will gain opportunities to build enduring partnerships with Traditional Owner groups, secure co-funding, publish high-impact research and mentor the next generation of Indigenous researchers.

You will:

• Lead Research Design and Delivery: Develop and implement the Indigenous Australians and Forests theme, aligning activities with CCSF and AFWI priorities and producing high quality scholarly outputs.
• Build Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement: Forge and sustain respectful relationships with Traditional Owner groups, industry and government to enable co-design and knowledge exchange.
• Grow and Nurture Capacity: Create pathways and training for Indigenous participation in research and provide supervision and mentorship for HDR students and early-career research staff.
• Provide Research Leadership: Lead co-funded and co-designed proposal development, and contribute to CCSF outreach and sector engagement.
• Contribute to Centre Governance: Actively participate in CCSF planning, seminars, and committees to promote inclusion and the Two Worlds framework across the CCSF.

You may be a great fit if:

• You hold a PhD in Forest Science, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
• You possess a strong publication record and experience delivering research that impacts policy or practice.
• You have proven experience building respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe, Two Worlds approaches.
• You are skilled in designing grant proposals and managing funded projects.
• You are collaborative, ethically grounded, and committed to inclusive research practice.
• You have proven experience working with Indigenous communities.

Application essentials:

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload your responses to the following Selection Criteria, found in the Position Description:
  1. Demonstrated experience engaging with relevant professional and industry bodies and stakeholders to foster collaborative research partnerships, identify opportunities for collaboration, and attract funding or grants.
  2. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key collaborators including industry, community, policy makers, government, and academic peer to communicate, motivate, and negotiate effectively to achieve shared objectives.
  3. Proven experience of working in partnership with Indigenous communities to undertake research collaborations, including in protecting and ensuring their IP rights.
  4. Excellent ability to work co-operatively and positively in a multi-disciplinary research-based environment and liaise with people from diverse backgrounds

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Prof. Patrick Baker at patrick.baker@unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Oliver Bukasa at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Applications close: 3 May 2026, 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.