Research Fellow - ARC Linkage Project ‘Borderline Personality as Social Phenomena'

• Full-time, 3-year fixed-term contract opportunity; based at RMIT City campus but may be require working and/or based at other campuses of the University
• Utilise your expertise in critical social science research in mental health to explore the experiences of people living with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and the perspectives of health practitioners, and to use interview findings to create online resources to support those with similar experiences, families, friends and supporters, health practitioners and policymakers
• Be part of large international research group with combines unique expertise in critical mental health research, medical humanities, cultural studies, psychiatry and qualitative and arts-based research in mental health, and is guided by collaborators with lived experience and an Advisory Group
• Report to Professor, Social and Global Studies Centre
• Remuneration at Academic Level B ($98,495-$116,965) + 17% superannuation

About us

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 91,000 students and 11,000 staff globally. RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online programs to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways.

Our purpose is to offer life-changing experiences for our students, and to help shape the world with research, innovation, teaching and industry engagement. With strong industry connections forged over 130 years, collaboration with industry remains integral to RMITÂ’s leadership in education, applied and innovative research, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates.

Culture

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together.

Imagination. Agility. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion.

What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other.

Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices.

About the College

The College of Design and Social Context encompasses RMIT UniversityÂ’s renowned art, architecture, design, built environment, communication, and social science disciplines. The college has 24,500 students and over 1,000 staff located in 8 schools.

The CollegeÂ’s academic programs are generally market leaders and in high demand. Based on a strong foundation of practise led, industry partnered teaching and research, we aim to deliver skilled graduates with a deep sense of purpose, and high impact research and innovation..

Further information on College of Design and Social Context in this link.

School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS)

Located in the heart of Melbourne on RMITÂ’s City Campus, the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies is one of RMITÂ’s largest schools. The SchoolÂ’s vision is to contribute to a just and sustainable world, and to deliver education, training and research in four areas of focus:

• Criminology, legal and justice studies
• Global studies, languages, translating and interpreting
• Social work, youth work and social policy
• Sustainability and urban planning

We provide academic programs in Higher Education in these four main areas. We are a strongly research active school with research centres of national and international reputation - the Centre for Urban Research and the Social and Global Studies Centre.

More information on School of Global, Urban and Social Studies in this link.

About You and the Role

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Establish and deliver high quality research/scholarly activities independently and as a member of a team through producing high impact research publications either as lead or co-author and presenting impactful research outputs at conferences and research forums;
• Conduct narrative interviews with participants with complex mental health conditions and mental health practitioners, including recruitment of participants with lived experiences of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and practitioners providing care to people with lived experiences of BPD, and manage all datasets;
• Oversee and deliver the production of a suite of Healthtalk Australia digital resources based on narrative interviews and other data collected as part of the Linkage project;
• Actively participate and present research outputs at meetings, conferences and research forums and contribute to competitive external research funding submissions;
• Collaborate and support the internal and external stakeholders, Project Manager and Research Assistant as outlined within project aims, as well as nurturing strong relationships with the government service sectors in developing excellent research strategy according to the aims and objectives of University.

You will have:

• Proven track record of published social research including publications, conference contributions and/or technical reports in the field of social sciences, particularly social research in mental health;
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently both as a member of a research team and independently to generate alternative funding for projects through strong liaison with industry and government;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills displaying versatility and flexibility in meeting changing demands and priorities of deadlines and team commitments;
• Experience in supervision of higher degree by research candidates;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) equipped with strong focus to excellence in teamwork and multidisciplinary collaborations;
• Commitment to confidentiality and display maturity in thinking in working with participants as well as the natural understanding mental health and diversity.

Qualifications

Mandatory: PhD in an area of the social sciences and humanities (sociology, social anthropology, cultural studies, gender and sexuality studies, social psychology). A PhD with a mental health or trauma focus will be considered an added advantage.

Preferred:

• Candidate with well-developed computer literacy and proficiency in the production of high-level work using software such as Microsoft Office applications and specified University software programs, with the capability and willingness to learn new packages (e.g., NVIVO, reference management software) as appropriate.
• Candidate possess a Victorian DriverÂ’s License is desirable

Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children check.

Bring your whole self to work

We are better for our diversity. When we listen to those who are different to us, or challenge us, we grow stronger together. When we feel like we belong, we can achieve so much more. We respect each other, embrace our differences and build a sense of belonging in our team and beyond.

We are proud that our dedication to diversity has been recognized by a broad spectrum of external organizations. Visit our Linkedin Life pages to learn more and see some of our most recent wins. 

To Apply

Please submit your updated resume and cover letter outlining your experience and achievements by clicking on the ‘Apply now’ link. Please note that a separate response to Key Selection Criteria as stated on the Position Description is required. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Renata Kokanovi? (renata.kokanovic@rmit.edu.au) to discuss the specific requirements of the role and for any further enquiries they might have about this work.

 PD - 591812 - Research Fellow.pdf

RMIT is a Disability Confident Recruitment Team and we are happy to adjust the recruitment process for your accessibility requirements. Please contact us at TalentSupport@rmit.edu.au  telling us your preferred type of communication and we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your requirements.

Applications close Sunday 28th February 2021.

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Please note that whilst we still accept applications from any persons interested in our roles, due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications from those with current working rights in Australia and who are not affected by travel restrictions. Please see the latest updates to AustraliaÂ’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

 

Trans and Gender Diverse applicants

Inclusion is at the durrung (or heart) of who we are. We aim to create an environment where staff and students who identify as trans and gender diverse feel supported to succeed and belong.

We recognise the challenges faced by the trans and gender diverse community when applying for a new role.

At RMIT, we aim to support you from the start. Our Talent Acquisition team are active members of the RMIT Ally network.

For enquires or support through the application, recruitment and onboarding process, applicants who identify as trans or gender diverse are invited to contact Mat Lewis at mat.lewis@rmit.edu.au