Research Fellow, Indigenous Health Law and Policy

Role type:
Part-time (0.5 FTE) Fixed term until June 2027

Faculty:
Melbourne Law School

Salary:
Level B.1 122,212 p.a. (pro rata) plus 17% super

• Support the advancement of culturally safe and equitable genetic health services for First Nations peoples by analysing legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks and translating insights into actionable recommendations.

• Contribute to transformational change within the delivery of genomic health care, bridging research, policy, and community perspectives to improve outcomes for Indigenous communities.

• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a landmark research project, undertaken in partnership with the Australian National University and the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, that seeks to strengthen genetic health services through culturally informed practice and culturally safe care for First Nations peoples. As Research Fellow, you will map the legal, quasi-legal, and policy frameworks governing the delivery of genetic health services in Australia, applying a systems analysis approach to examine how these frameworks intersect with the lived experiences of First Nations peoples and the practices of genetic health professionals. The insights generated will underpin evidence-based policy recommendations for immediate impact, while also identifying pathways for longer-term, transformational change in the accessibility, equity, and effectiveness of genetic medicine in Australia.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Mapping and analysing legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks governing genetic health services in Australia, and reviewing them against national and international commitments.

• Applying systems analysis to examine intersections between frameworks, First Nations perspectives, and the practices of genetic health professionals.

• Developing and communicating evidence-based policy recommendations to inform short-, medium-, and long-term improvements in genetic health service delivery.

• Disseminating and presenting research findings through academic publications, conferences, seminars, and public engagement to promote awareness and informed debate.

You may be a great fit if:

You are a highly motivated and collaborative researcher, able to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. You possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and engage constructively with colleagues, stakeholders, and diverse communities. You demonstrate sound judgement, adaptability, and a capacity to navigate complex regulatory and policy environments, while contributing thoughtfully to research discussions, project planning, and the dissemination of findings. You are proactive, organised, and able to manage competing priorities with professionalism, ensuring that your work maintains the highest standards of academic integrity and impact.

You will also:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent combination of qualifications and experience in a relevant field.

• Possess a strong understanding of Australian health law and policy, particularly as it applies to genomics and healthcare research.

• Demonstrate a proven record of academic research with outputs published in peer-reviewed journals or other scholarly platforms.

• Apply systems analysis and diverse research methodologies to assess frameworks, inform policy recommendations, and support evidence-based outcomes.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page

Your new team - Melbourne Law School

Melbourne Law School is Australia's first all-graduate law faculty. Melbourne Law School was the first faculty in Australia to teach law, and awarded this country's first law degrees. The Law School is now fully graduate with its Juris Doctor for admission to practice recognised as a high level qualification in Australia and beyond. Coupled with the unrivalled excellence of the Melbourne Law Masters and its excellent Research Higher Degree programs, the Law School offers a unique opportunity for the integration of scholarship and teaching.

Its faculty is a vibrant community of creative scholars, committed to a highly collegial, research-intensive institutional life. Melbourne Law School aims to integrate teaching with research and engagement activities and to engage with local, national and global communities.

The Law School is a single department faculty located in a custom-designed building in University Square. The Law School has approximately 3,300 graduate students (including JD, Melbourne Law Masters and Research High Degrees).

The international reputation of the School is closely linked to the range and quality of its research programs. The School has several research Institutes, Centres, Networks and Groups which provide a focus for scholarly interaction.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Bec Tucker on or at hr- (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page.

Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring outlines our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at oied- for further information and support.

Please note
: This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available.

A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for all positions. If successful, we'll guide you through the WWCC application process during onboarding and reimburse the cost.

Join Us and unlock your career potential

If this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience

• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

Learn more about the application process, including tips and FAQs.

For recruitment queries, email Petra Newton at hr- Include the Position Number and Job Title in the subject line. Please do not send applications to this email address.

For job-specific queries, refer to the contact details in the Position Description.

Applications close:
Tuesday 21st October 2025 at 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEDT) / Melbourne time zone.

Position Description:
Indigenous Health Research