Researcher [Indigenous cultural and socio-economic outcomes]

Overview:

• Part-time, Fixed Term position until 30 September 2028

• Academic Level A or B + 17% Superannuation, Flexible Working Arrangements and Cultural Leave

• Level A appointment available up to 0.9 FTE | Level B appointment available up to 0.8 FTE

• Melbourne or Queensland location considered

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About the Centre for Nature Positive Solutions

The Centre for Nature Positive Solutions (CNPS) is a multidisciplinary research centre within RMIT's School of Science, focused on addressing critical environmental challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Through innovative, evidence-based research, CNPS develops practical solutions that support ecosystem restoration, sustainable development and community wellbeing.

Working collaboratively with communities, industry, government and research partners, CNPS is committed to creating positive environmental and social outcomes through research that helps both people and nature thrive.

About You

Join RMIT's Centre for Nature Positive Solutions and contribute to an innovative research project focused on understanding and strengthening the cultural, social and economic outcomes of coastal wetland restoration for Traditional Custodian communities.

This exciting opportunity sits within the Reef Wetlands Initiative, a major collaborative project led by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and funded through Queensland's Reefwise Program. Working closely with Traditional Custodians, project partners and community stakeholders, you will help co-design culturally appropriate approaches to identifying, measuring and reporting outcomes that matter to communities, while contributing to emerging approaches for restoration financing, monitoring and evaluation.

You will undertake literature reviews, stakeholder engagement, surveys, interviews, focus groups and analysis, helping to develop practical methodologies that capture the benefits of restoration activities alongside environmental outcomes such as improved water quality, fisheries and ecosystem health.

In addition to undertaking independent research in your discipline, you will contribute specialist expertise while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. You will be required to make independent contributions through your expertise and may coordinate and/or lead the activities of other staff.

This position is available at either Academic Level A or Academic Level B depending on qualifications, skills and experience.

For appointment at Academic Level B, you will typically demonstrate:

• A completed PhD in a relevant discipline.

• Experience leading or coordinating research activities and working collaboratively with Traditional Custodian peoples and/or organisations.

• Experience preparing human research ethics applications and applying Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles.

• The ability to independently design, deliver and translate research into practical outcomes, reports and publications.

• Experience supporting Higher Degree by Research students and contributing leadership within collaborative research environments.

For appointment at Academic Level A, you will typically demonstrate:

• A relevant degree together with research and/or professional experience.

• The ability to undertake research activities under limited supervision and contribute effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

• Experience supporting research, evaluation or engagement activities with Traditional Custodian peoples and/or organisations.

• Strong organisational and project coordination skills.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

RMIT is committed to increasing the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our workforce and creating a culturally safe, inclusive and supportive workplace.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. We recognise and value the knowledge, experience and perspectives that First Nations peoples bring to research, education and community engagement.

This role will work closely with Traditional Custodian communities and organisations across Queensland, and we welcome applications from candidates who bring experience working respectfully and collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• Experience working collaboratively and respectfully with Traditional Custodian peoples and/or organisations, including co-design, participatory research or community engagement approaches.

• Experience supporting, developing or applying social, cultural or economic indicators, monitoring, evaluation or reporting activities.

• Understanding of culturally appropriate research practices and community-led approaches to research.

• Strong qualitative research and stakeholder engagement skills, including workshops, interviews, focus groups and consultation activities.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to practical research outputs, reports and project deliverables while managing competing priorities and timelines.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience relating to coastal wetlands, Great Barrier Reef catchments, ecosystem restoration or environmental markets.

• Experience working within environmental, natural resource management, sustainability, social research or community development contexts.

Please Note

Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check and any other checks required by the role.

Travel Requirements: The successful candidate will undertake travel within Queensland, including engagement with Traditional Custodian communities and project partners across two coastal wetland restoration sites located within Great Barrier Reef catchments.

Candidates may be based in Melbourne or Queensland. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are available, and project funding includes a dedicated travel budget to support fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and community visits.

Position Descriptions:

Level A_Reefwise_PD

Level B_Reefwise_PD

To Apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the position by clicking on the Apply link at the top of this page.

For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked above or contact Maria Palacios, Senior Research Fellow via maria.palacios@rmit.edu.au

Please do not send your application to this email address.

Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click "Apply" and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description. Due to recent upgrades, position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements.

Applications close 11:59am Sunday, 11 October 2026

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Applications Close:

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. 

In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.  All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with theNational Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.  Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.

At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, viatalentsupport@rmit.edu.au or visit our Careers page for more contact information -https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.

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