Forensicare Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow

Forensic Mental Health Research

Full-time, fixed-term (4-years) position at our Hawthorn campus

Academic Level A/B salary + 17% super and staff benefits

About the Role

Are you passionate about research that drives meaningful change in forensic mental health? Join a collaborative and purpose-driven research team working on innovative projects that shape clinical practice, improve service delivery, and enhance outcomes for consumers across Victoria.

Forensicare is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic researcher to join the Research Department at either Level A (Research Associate) or Level B (Research Fellow), depending on your qualifications, skills, and experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development, coordination, and delivery of research and evaluation projects across a range of forensic mental health settings.

You will collaborate with experienced clinicians and researchers to support evidence-informed practice and service innovation. Depending on your level of appointment and experience, you may support or lead aspects of project design, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Supporting and/or leading research and evaluation projects
• Designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research activities
• Coordinating surveys, interviews, and focus groups
• Analysing and interpreting research data
• Preparing reports, scholarly publications, presentations, and other project outputs
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to communicate findings and project outcomes
• Assisting with project coordination and meeting research timelines

This role is well suited to someone who enjoys collaborative research, values socially impactful work, and thrives in multidisciplinary environments.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• An Honours qualification, PhD, or Professional Doctorate in Psychology, Criminology, or a related Health Science discipline, depending on the level of appointment
• Relevant research and/or evaluation administration experience
• Experience supporting or conducting research and evaluation projects within multidisciplinary clinical or mental health environments
• Knowledge and experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies
• Experience coordinating research fieldwork, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups
• Strong written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, and publications
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Experience in forensic mental health settings and scholarly publication experience will be highly regarded for Level B appointments.

Qualifications

• Level A - At least an honours qualification in Psychology, Criminology, or a related Health Science discipline, in conjunction with relevant research experience or evaluation administration experience.
• Level B - A PhD or Professional Doctorate qualification in Psychology, Criminology, or a related Health Science discipline, in conjunction with relevant research experience and evaluation administration experience.

About Forensicare

Forensicare is Victoria’s leading provider of forensic mental health services. We are committed to recovery-oriented practice, where hope, social inclusion, personalised care, and genuine collaboration are central to everything we do.

Services are delivered across:

• Thomas Embling Hospital inpatient services
• Community Forensic Mental Health Services
• Prison-based forensic mental health services across Victoria

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 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: Monday 15 June 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, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550. Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

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.

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