Research Associate

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, Australia

Updated: 17 days ago
Location: Melbourne, VICTORIA
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: 05 May 2025

Position Number: 0065560
Location:  Parkville
Role type: Part-time 0.5 FTE; Fixed-term for up to 2 years
Faculty:  Melbourne Law School
Salary: Level A.6 - $105,518 plus 17% super (pro rata for part-time)

  • Contribute to an ARC-funded Future Fellowship examining how international law shapes the use and dependence of the oceans in the Blue Economy, amidst increasing economic growth, changing livelihoods and escalating ecological harms.
  • Develop an independent research profile while engaging with global legal and policy developments at the intersection of environmental and climate governance, trade agreements, and ocean stewardship.
  • Enjoy a 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  and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .   

    Your next career opportunity
    This interdisciplinary project explores the legal frameworks that govern the sustainable use of ocean resources, addressing critical cross-sectoral issues relating to biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, mining, energy, marine pollution, food production and tourism. The incumbent will undertake original research on the legal and institutional dimensions of the Blue Economy, engage with key stakeholders, and contribute to high-quality academic and policy-oriented outputs. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop an independent research profile while collaborating within a dynamic scholarly community at Melbourne Law School and the Institute for International Law and the Humanities.

    Your responsibilities will include:

  • Conducting high-quality research on the legal and institutional dimensions of the Blue Economy, including international treaties, environmental and trade agreements, and cross-sectoral governance frameworks.
  • Publishing scholarly and policy-oriented outputs in leading academic forums, contributing to public inquiries and funding submissions, and engaging in research dissemination through seminars, workshops, and conferences.
  • Collaborating with academic and professional colleagues at Melbourne Law School, IILAH, and partner institutions, as well as engaging with policymakers, industry bodies, and intergovernmental organisations to enhance the impact of the research.
  • Supporting the administration of the Future Fellowship Program, including organising research events, assisting with travel and logistics for national and international collaborators, and contributing to the broader academic community at Melbourne Law School.

    • You may be a great fit if:

    You are an independent and motivated researcher with a collaborative mindset and a keen interest in engaging with diverse perspectives. You possess strong interpersonal skills that enable you to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, building constructive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and research partners. With excellent communication skills, you are adept at articulating complex ideas clearly and persuasively. Highly organised and adaptable, you manage multiple tasks with efficiency and professionalism, demonstrating sound judgement and initiative. Your intellectual curiosity and willingness to embrace new methodologies allows you to contribute creatively, while your commitment to academic integrity and collegiality enriches the research environment at Melbourne Law School.

    You also have:

  • A PhD (or near completion) in public international law, the law of the sea, international environmental law, or a related field, with a strong research background relevant to the project.
  • Expertise in the legal analysis of international treaties, institutions, and governance frameworks related to the Blue Economy, with the ability to develop and conduct independent research.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, with a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality academic publications and present research effectively to diverse audiences, including through infographics.
  • Strong organisational and time management skills, with the capacity to manage research projects, meet deadlines, and contribute to collaborative initiatives with minimal supervision.

    • 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 fulfilment, 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
  • Comprehensive career development and training, plus a 25% discount on UniMelb graduate courses for your immediate family members!

    • 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. The Melbourne Law School was the first faculty in Australia to teach law and awarded this country's first law degrees. The Law School has committed itself to build on our more than 150 year history of excellence and innovation by shifting from undergraduate legal education to the global standard, graduate level Juris Doctor degree. Coupled with the unrivalled excellence of the Melbourne Law Masters and its internationally renowned 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. The Law School has particular strengths in cross-disciplinary and comparative analysis. It 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 2,200 graduate students (including JD, Melbourne Law Masters and Research High Degrees).

    Be Yourself
    The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

    The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering a barrier-free and inclusive recruitment process. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the application and interview stages, including accessible document formats and alternative application methods.  To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Kim Groizard +61 3 9035 3218 or send an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments' to hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au.  You can find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments on our Careers website: https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
    We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

    For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

    If you are a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and would like any support, please feel free to contact our Indigenous Employment & Development team via email at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au .

    Working at the University – what you need to know
    This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

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

    Join Us and unlock your career potential!
    Is this the perfect opportunity for you? Apply today! Including the following documents:

  • Brief resume (no more than 4 pages) including work experience, brief summary of teaching or research supervision experience (if any), conference papers and presentations, community engagement/activism, prizes and scholarships, work in progress, information about language ability.
  • Cover Letter outlining your interest and aptitude for the position
  • Evidence of PhD, thesis abstract and examination reports (if available)
  • Academic Transcripts for all relevant degrees undertaken.
  • List of Publications (including those accepted for publication but not yet published).
  • 3 Referees preferably at least one of whom was your PhD supervisor. Make sure you have sought permission for Professor Young to contact them.

    • Please note that you are not required to respond to the selection criteria in the Position Description.

    If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Petra Newton via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

    If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

    Applications close: Monday 5th May 2025 at 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.

    Position Description: Research Associate PD


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