Research Fellow

Who we are:

- At Torrens University Australia, making a difference is in our DNA. As a Certified B Corporation, we belong to a global community of future-focused companies using business as a force for good. We believe in the transformative power of education to change lives, families, communities - and the world. That’s why we’re on a mission to increase access to higher education, so learners from all walks of life can chase their dreams. A progressive university, we ground our studies in industry. Expert academics bring their insights into the classroom, with a range of assessment types that aim to be authentic and informed by industry needs. Bridging the gap between study and work, our educators prepare students for career success and connect them with future employers. Building relevant skills, experience and networks from day one, students don’t just learn about their industry, they live it.
- What’s the job?
- The primary purpose of this position is to undertake research on a 3-year ARC Discovery grant titled “From Oppression to Hope: Reducing Heavy-Drinking with Midlife Women”. The Research Fellow will work with a research team from Torrens University Australia (Prof Paul Ward is leading the study), La Trobe University, and the University of Adelaide, in addition to collaborators in universities in New Zealand, England, the US and Canada. The research fellow will be part of a research team which includes Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, other funded researchers and PhD students. The study will work out ways to support the following groups of midlife women to reduce their alcohol consumption (and their breast cancer risk): 1) women living in regional areas of Australia; 2) LGBTQ+ women; 3) women living in poverty; and 4) women working in the corporate sector. This is a 3-stage study: Stage 1 will include an ethnography, netnography, photo elicitation, social media analysis and qualitative interviews; Stage 2 will include deliberative dialogue groups to identify ‘systems level’ drivers of alcohol consumption; Stage 3 will co-develop and implement interventions aimed at increasing critical consciousness and hope for the case-study groups. This Research Fellow position at Torrens University will primarily be responsible for all stages of the study for ‘LGBTQ+ women’ and ‘women in the corporate sector’ but will also be required to contribute to the other two case-study groups when required.
- Day-to-day accountabilities:
- Implement a research plan in line with the funded ARC research proposal (available on request)- Achieve required research outputs in line with the research budget available and as set for you by your manager and outlined in the research plan- Undertake data collection and analysis and prepare reports, presentations, communications, grant submissions and other correspondence- Deliver and coordinate research seminars related to individual research outputs as required- Maintain strong collaborative working partnership with all key working relationships- Manage administration related to research work including but not limited to process invoices, payments and expenses related to research
- This is a 3-year Fixed term position. The location can be Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide.

Who you are- Hold a PhD (or be close to submission) in an academic discipline commensurate with the study (e.g. sociology, public health, anthropology, psychology, addiction studies)- Experience and publications in social practice theory and/or the sociology of hope- Experience collecting and analysing different types of qualitative data- Strong track record of research outputs in high-ranking academic journals- Experience undertaking research using some of the following methods:
- Social media analysis- Netnography- Photo elicitation methods- Qualitative interviews- Ethnography- Co-design of interventions- Experience in obtaining competitive research grants (desirable)- Experience in non-traditional dissemination of research (desirable)
- We are not offering sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia without sponsorship.
- Why join us?
- Bold, modern and agile, we’re Australia’s fastest-growing university going from 164 students in 2014 to 40,000+ alumni across 115+ countries and 2000 + staff today. In 2020, Australian Financial Review named us one of the country’s most innovative companies. As we continue to establish ourselves as a truly global university, we never lose sight of our student-centric approach. Supported by teams of passionate people, you’ll find opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- We are a private, for-profit university with a robust research agenda as well as social impact initiatives focused on making the world a better place. We encourage meaningful work from our academics that contributes to our overall mission.
- We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive wo