Getting to know AIFS

We are the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), the Australian Government’s key independent research body and advisor in the area of family wellbeing, based in the Melbourne CBD. We produce research about ‘what works for families’ and make it accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the general public.

Position description

Research Fellows (Executive Level 1) at AIFS take a leading role in managing and delivering our research projects. Research Fellows are experienced researchers and managers with significant subject matter expertise in one or more topic areas relevant to AIFS projects; for example, family relationships, program evaluation, child wellbeing, family law, out-of-home care, family violence, gambling and alcohol and other drug use, public health, community development, communities, and families and/or family policy and services.

Research Fellow positions that may be filled from this recruitment process include roles involved in:

• Evaluation and impact
• Gambling and related behaviours, including alcohol and other drug use
• Knowledge translation and impact
• Family trends and transitions
• Families, work, and care
• Families and service systems
• Families experiencing disadvantage
• Defence families
• Family law and family violence
• Sexual violence
• Public policy, families, and institutions
• Research leadership and strategy
• Families, society and lifecourse research
• Longitudinal and lifecourse studies on topics including child and adolescent development and men’s health
• Data linkage and integration
• Data governance and management

We are seeking Research Fellows for each of the following teams:

• Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC)
• Child and Family Evidence (C&FE)
• Family Law, Family Violence and Elder Abuse (FL, FV & EA)
• Families, Society and Lifecourse Research (FS&LR)
• Research Development: Evaluation Leadership (RD)

Please see the position description for information about each of the teams. This selection process will also be used to establish a merit pool to fill vacancies across AIFS that arise over the next 18 months. 

Position duties

The duties of Research Fellows will depend on the position but may involve:

• managing research projects and contracts, including undertaking or allocating research tasks, monitoring progress, identifying risks, responding to changes and delivering high quality results
• managing stakeholder relationships by providing information, research expertise and specialist advice to key stakeholders, including funding bodies, policy makers (in government and service provision agencies) and practitioners
• managing a small team of researchers to ensure the delivery of team objectives, including managing performance, guiding development and providing feedback
• leading evidence synthesis projects on topics related to child and family wellbeing using an integrated knowledge translation approach for impact (C&FE team specific) 
• designing knowledge translation products (e.g. practice papers, evidence to practice guides, short articles and webinars) based on evidence review and research findings (C&FE team specific) 
• leading and supporting the design, implementation and management of evaluation projects (RD team specific)
• undertaking research tasks in one or more of the following:
  • design of study content, research methodologies, sampling approaches and research instruments
  • undertaking qualitative fieldwork
  • overseeing the management of surveys and other data collections
  • developing, implementing and monitoring respondent engagement and communication plans
  • conducting stakeholder consultations and codesign activities
  • analysing qualitative or quantitative research data, including administrative data
  • managing high-level and complex longitudinal/linked datasets and manipulating, transforming and merging data files
  • conducting analyses and synthesis of existing research
  • undertaking high-level statistical analysis, including provision of statistical advice and support
  • developing tools and resources to support community service providers to deliver and evaluate evidence-informed programs and practices
  • preparing research reports, papers, submissions, short articles, ethics applications and other written materials
• contributing to the development of research proposals including collaborating with others and providing subject matter expertise for cross-team responses
• contributing to the management of relevant budgets and other resources in line with AIFS’ obligations and procedures
• communicating research findings and representing the Institute at relevant conferences, webinars, workshops, teleconferences, meetings and other events.

Terms

If applicable: Non-ongoing opportunities will be offered for a specified term of up to 18 months with the possibility of extension to a maximum term of three years.

Application information

For full application requirements and to apply for this position, please download the Position description and access the Application form, where you will need to attach your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant professional expertise listed in the Key Selection Criteria.

Contact: Human Resources

Contact Phone: 03 9214 7888

Contact Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Research Fellows - Various Research Teams enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Position eligibility requirements

To be eligible for engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens unless special approval is given. For example, applicants with permanent resident status who have applied or intend to apply for Australian citizenship may be considered for engagement. 

Conditions of engagement including probation, health and character clearances (including police records check, Working with Children Check and security clearance) may apply to this position. 

We provide a family-friendly and flexible workplace that supports the wellbeing and professional development of our diverse workforce. Benefits include workplace health and wellbeing activities, a healthy promotion allowance and Christmas closedown period with no deduction from leave credits. Our salaries and conditions of employment are set out in our Enterprise Agreement.

AIFS is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature age people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTI+, and people with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.