Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships

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Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships

Our Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship program is internationally acclaimed for its applied, interdisciplinary research. We are proud to influence partnerships that help to commercialise research knowledge and scale up effective innovations.

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Applications closed

Registration for the 2020 intake has now closed. If you have a research enquiry you can contact us at researchfellowships@rmit.edu.au.

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About the Program

It’s all about you. And what you need to progress your research and shine as a researcher. 

You will have an opportunity to work with a unique mix of interdisciplinary experts and collaborative clustering that will help to solve complex local, national and global problems.

What makes the Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships different?

Align your priority research area to one of RMIT’s Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs) and we will enable you to build your profile, develop your leadership skills and expand your networks.

RMIT is focused on recruiting Fellows whose experience and expertise align with one of RMIT’s 8 Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs). Working within one of ECP areas, Fellows will make significant contributions to RMIT’s research priorities by developing and engaging in high-quality, high impact research projects, which address local, national, regional and global challenges.

Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs)

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Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication

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Advanced Materials

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Biomedical and Health Innovation

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Design and Creative Practice

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Global Business Innovation

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Information and System (Engineering)

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Social Change

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Urban Futures

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Fellows will also be expected to attract external research funding including competitive grants from both national and international sources and produce high quality outputs. They may also undertake limited teaching duties linked to their active research projects, to promote student engagement and further embed research activity in teaching.

About You

What does it take to be a Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow?

In short, it’s a Fellowship that’s as ambitious as you are.

We’re looking for not just the best and brightest researchers, but those who also want to leave a legacy. Switched-on, collaborative and curious thinkers who have the inspiration, drive and ideas to change Australia – and the world – for the better.

If you are courageous, passionate, self-motivated researcher who wants to make an impact – register now!

Who can apply?

We are focused on recruiting Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Fellows and Indigenous Research Fellows whose experience and expertise align with RMITs strategy plan, one of our eight Enabling Capability Platforms, one of their priority areas and one of our academic schools.

Athena SWAN - Promoting Gender Equity and Diversity in STEMM

Members of the Athena SWAN Working Party share their aspirations and objectives for Athena SWAN.

Our Commitment to Athena SWAN

RMIT is committed in driving progression towards gender equality and ensuring the diversity in our organisation is balanced at every level.

RMIT has joined the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena SWAN Program to support gender equity and diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines. See our Diversity & Inclusion page. This program promotes women’s career development in STEMM and provides support to encourage staff success. Meet our Women in STEMM.

Female Only Recruitment for Senior Research Fellowships and Research Fellowships

To address the under representation of women in STEMM, the Senior Research/Research Fellowships program will only be accepting female applicants for the following schools:

  • School of Business, IT and Logistics
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Science
     

The Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in Science, Engineering and Business, IT and Logistics schools.

PLEASE NOTE that the Postdoctoral Fellowships and Indigenous Research Fellowships are open to all applicants across all Schools.

Selection criteria

To be eligible for one of the Vice-Chancellor Research Fellowship, you must hold a PhD/Doctorate qualification or if applying specifically to the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, be awarded your PhD prior to accepting an offer of employment.

Fellowships are not available to RMIT employees with current ongoing academic positions.

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To be suitable for this Fellowship, it is expected that you will have an excellent track record and international recognition for undertaking high-quality research in one of RMIT’s research priority areas. You will have proven ability to provide research leadership, develop networks and manage collaborative partnered research projects in a global environment.

If successful, you can expect:

  • A Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellowship for four years and salary commencing at Academic level C
  • $20,000 per annum research support funding for four years
  • Assistance to move to Australia or within Australia (including visa support if required and basic relocation support)
     

At the end of the Fellowship, it is expected that fellows will be offered a continuing position, conditional on performance criteria being met, in either a teaching and research academic or a research only academic position depending on the School’s needs.

The Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the School of Business, IT and Logistics, School of Engineering and School of Science. Refer to the ‘Our Commitment to Athena SWAN’ section for further information. 

To be suitable for a Research Fellow, it is expected that you will have an emerging track record and a national reputation for undertaking high quality research in one of RMIT’s research priority areas. You will have proven capacity to plan and conduct high quality research, attract competitive funding, regularly disseminate outcomes, and have established national research networks.

If successful, you can expect:

  • A Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship for four years with a commencing salary at Academic level B
  • $20,000 per annum research support funding for four years
  • Assistance to move to Australia or within Australia (including visa support if required and basic relocation support)
     

At the end of the Fellowship, it is expected that fellows will be offered a continuing position, conditional on performance criteria being met, in either a teaching and research academic or a research only academic position depending on the School’s needs.

The Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the School of Business, IT and Logistics, School of Engineering and School of Science. Refer to the ‘Our Commitment to Athena SWAN’ section for further information. 

Fellowships are open to people who have completed a PhD within the last five years or are expected to have completed a PhD prior to the registration of interest closing date of 18 August 2019 (excluding career interruptions).

To be suitable for a Postdoctoral Fellowship, you will make significant contributions to RMIT’s research priorities by engaging in high-quality research projects and produce high-quality outputs. The position will carry out team-based research projects, which will make a significant impact in the area of their specialisation and be influential in expanding the knowledge of their relevant discipline.

If successful, you can expect:

  • A Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship for three years with a commencing salary at Academic level A/B (depending on experience)
  • $10,000 per annum research support funding for three years
  • An opportunity to significantly build their research track record and reputation, supported by training, development and mentorship.

To be suitable for an Indigenous Research Fellowship, you will be expected to attract external research funding including competitive grants from both national and international sources and produce high quality outputs. You will have proven ability to provide research leadership, develop networks and manage collaborative partnered research projects in a global environment.

If successful, you can expect:

  • A Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship for three to four years with a commencing salary at Academic level B, C or D (depending on experience)
  • $10,000-$20,000 per annum research support funding (depending on experience) for three to four years
  • Assistance to move to Australia or within Australia
     

The Indigenous Research Fellowship is an identified opportunity under ‘Special Measures’ of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act 2010. This means that only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply. Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is required and you will need to submit this during the ‘Register Your Interest’ process. 

The Ngarara Willim Centre supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and student within the University. For support, email ngarara.willim@rmit.edu.au

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Professor Mark McMillan

Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education and Engagement

"RMIT is committed to enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sovereignties by creating a supportive research environment."

Hear from other fellows

As a RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow, you’ll become part of the VCRF Network. Membership to this network gives you access to one of Australia’s most diverse meetings of like-minds. Drawing on the Fellows strong sense of purpose and desire to collaborate, the network is designed to be inspiring, influential and a life-long learning experience.

Dr Rohit Ashok Khot

"This Fellowship Program allows you to take bigger risks and come up with creative solutions to problems”

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Associate Professor Jason Potts

“What is unique and interesting about RMIT is that I get to be part of creating a research culture here”

Senior Research Fellow

Associate Professor Mary Tolcos

“VC fellowship gave me freedom to grow my research program and recruit new people, PhD students and to really start expending that area of research.”

Senior Research Fellow

Selection process

Instead of focusing on ways to rule people out, we’ve worked on a way to give you an opportunity to really show us what you can do.

  1. Start by registering your interest by submitting a short application form
    We will ask you to align your Fellowship application to one of our Enabling Capability Platforms (ECP), research priority areas and academic school listed above. You will also be asked eligibility questions and asked to provide a current curriculum vitae outlining your most significant research achievements and contributions.
 
  1. Your Fellowship application
    Once you have registered your interest, we will invite eligible applicants to an online, mobile friendly application – Vervoe, where you will complete a formal application.  

    We will ask you questions such as your motivation for applying and how it aligns to the relevant ECP, your research outputs, detailed information on your career, plus a copy of your Curriculum Vitae. In some responses, you will be asked to record a short video, a written response or upload an attachment.


  2. Research Plan
    If selected to the next stage, you will be asked to provide a complete a research plan or other documentation (eg statement addressing selection criteria or summary of outcomes of PhD thesis).  Details of documentation required will be advised to all Stage 2 applicants.

    Research plan must  include (max 1500 words):

    • Title (max. 20 words)
    • Objective (max. 100 words)
    • Fit to priority area and any potential ECP cross collaboration (max. 200 words)
    • What is the significant problem the research will address? (max. 200 words)
    • Methodology (Highlight innovation) (max. 400 words)
    • Outcome (max. 200 words)
    • Research Impact (max. 200 words) (Research Impact is considered the contribution research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia)
    • Collaboration (Within academia and external) (max. 200 words)

  3. Interviews
    You will meet with our ECP Directors, Heads of Schools and other key people to further discuss your chosen areas of research.

Key dates

Applications for 2020 are closed. Please keep checking the website for further details about opening for 2021 round.

Contact us

All enquires should be directed to researchfellowships@rmit.edu.au. Please do not submit applications via this email as they will not be processed.

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Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business. - Artwork created by Louisa Bloomer

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