Find out more about the RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships Program application process.
Applications for RMIT's Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowships are now CLOSED
RMIT proudly holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award for our commitment to improve gender equity and diversity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines.
All Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows are hosted in one of RMIT's Schools within one of our three academic Colleges.
To address the under-representation of women in STEMM, there are some Schools where we will only accept applications from women, including those who identify as women or are gender diverse. This condition currently applies to academic levels A-D in the following Schools:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the Schools listed above.
We live in a world that is undergoing great change and uncertainty. Over the next decade, we will live and work through complex challenges in climate, security, inequality, health and wellbeing, technological revolutions, and emerging social movements. RMIT University is committed to work with our partners and communities to find new solutions and apply transdisciplinary approaches to help society, the environment, and the economy, navigate these challenges.
The RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship program aims to provide researchers from all backgrounds an opportunity to flourish whilst making a positive real-world impact. If you value building connections between different people and skills, seek to make a genuine difference to Australia and the world through your research, and can demonstrate creativity and imagination in your approaches, we encourage you to apply for an RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship.
Applications are now open at academic levels A through to D, in three areas of research focus: Regenerative Futures, Digital Innovation, and MedTech Innovation. Under each of these overarching research areas, specific high-priority topics are provided to focus your application on for this recruitment round.
Appointment of Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows will be on merit, taking into account strong alignment with the areas of research focus and high-priority topics, and capability for impact linked to one or more of RMIT's Enabling Impact Platforms.
Going beyond ‘sustainable’ practices to restore, renew and revitalise social, economic, and environmental systems.
Revolutionising health outcomes and health expectations through innovation in medical technologies.
Advancing world-leading and multidisciplinary digital innovation research for a prosperous and secure digital future.
Regenerative Futures moves beyond ‘sustainable’ practices to restore, renew and revitalise social, economic and environmental systems. The RMIT approach to Regenerative Futures brings together disciplinary knowledge and expertise across a spectrum of disciplines. We define regenerative futures research as that which integrates the needs of nature and society whilst also creating technologies, processes and initiatives with a positive, regenerative impact on natural and social systems. We are seeking experts in the following high-priority topics:
Medical technologies are revolutionising health outcomes and health expectations. RMIT leads, and is investing in, areas including better disease diagnosis via advances in imaging, biosensors and biomarkers, as well as harnessing state-of-the-art smart materials such as optoelectronics, new bioinformatics and digital health AI-enabled tools. We are also engaging nanotechnology for health in areas ranging from agriculture to cancer, supporting community health across the lifespan. In all these areas, RMIT has a deep commitment to ensuring medical technologies are designed to make a practical contribution to clinical outcomes and health providers, supported by our range of partnerships and co-location initiatives with major hospitals, health providers, and community organisations. RMIT also has its own supporting infrastructure including the Micro Nano Research Facility (MNRF), Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (including digital manufacturing), and The Victorian Medical Device Prototyping and Scale-Up Facility – Discovery to Device.
Across these diverse areas we need committed and innovative researchers to drive forward our research strategy for impact, and that build on collaborative initiatives with strategic research partners such as the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), and Northern Health.
RMIT is seeking to build and enhance our research and innovation capability in MedTech in the following areas:
Digital innovation is pivotal to the future of our digital economy, for both organisations and individuals. Emerging digital technologies have created new businesses, pushed automation deep into economic administration and operations, and disrupted industries and ways of working. RMIT is deeply involved in shaping this digital future. We have national leadership in digital technologies for information retrieval, artificial intelligence, deep learning, quantum technologies, and cybersecurity, coupled with a focus on human behaviour, user interaction, design, critical technology studies, creative practices, and FATE (fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics). In a future where businesses, governments, and citizens interact in previously unimagined ways, RMIT’s commitment is to advance world-leading and multidisciplinary digital innovation research for a prosperous and secure digital future.
As part of our research strategy for impact, RMIT is building on our existing world class research capability in digital innovation by identifying established and emerging research leaders with the capability to enhance Digital Innovation in the following high-priority topics:
To be suitable for a Vice-Chancellor's Principal Research Fellowship, it is expected that you will have an excellent track record and international recognition for undertaking high-quality research aligned with one or more of RMIT’s Strategic Research Priority Areas, contributing significantly to research outputs and translation, industry and public engagement, building capability of staff, promoting strong research performance, and above all, engaging in research which builds social, environmental and economic benefit and positive change in the world. You will have proven ability to provide research leadership, build teams, develop networks, and manage collaborative partnered research projects in a global environment.
If successful, you can expect:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the following Schools:
To be suitable for a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellowship it is expected that you will have an excellent track record and international recognition for undertaking high-quality research aligned with one or more of RMIT’s Strategic Research Priority Areas, contributing significantly to research outputs and translation, industry and public engagement, building capability of staff, promoting strong research performance, and above all, engaging in research which builds social, environmental and economic benefit and positive change in the world. 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:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the following Schools:
To be suitable for a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship, it is expected that you will have an emerging track record and a national reputation for undertaking high quality research aligned with one of RMIT’s Strategic 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:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the following Schools:
Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are open to applicants who have completed their PhD within the last five years (Since 7 October 2019 , excluding career interruptions). If you do not hold a PhD at the time of application your PhD must be awarded prior to an offer being made (approximately December 2024).
To be suitable for a Postdoctoral Fellowship, it is expected that you make significant contributions to one or more of RMIT’s Strategic research Priority Areas by engaging in high-quality research projects and producing 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:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the following Schools:
Key dates |
Monday 9 September 2024 Applications OPEN. |
Monday 7 October 2024 at 12 noon (AEDT) Applications CLOSE. |
Application outcomes will be provided to all applicants by the end of November 2024. |
Interviews will be held in November 2024. Please note, interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. |
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of December 2024. |
Applications via our online, mobile friendly application portal, Vervoe, open on 9 September 2024 and close on 7 October 2024 at 12 noon (AEDT).
You will be asked:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview which may include a presentation to the selection panel. It is anticipated that interviews will take place during November 2024.
Preferred candidates will be asked to provide details of two referees to our background checks verification partner, CVCheck, before a formal offer is made.
RMIT recruits with an emphasis on merit over quantity of output. Applicants will be invited to contribute a statement for consideration of achievement relative to research opportunity as part of the application process. The following are examples of significant career interruptions which may be considered:
As part of your application for a fellowship, you will be asked to discuss your research achievements relative to opportunity.
Yes, you may apply, but your PhD must be awarded by the time offers will be extended to successful candidates (approximately December 2024). Successful candidates who are offered a position must be able to demonstrate they have met all the requirements for completion of their PhD program, be able to adopt the title of Doctor, and be able to produce a statement of academic completion upon request.
We are recruiting, Principal Research Fellows (Academic levels D1-D4), Senior Research Fellows (Academic levels C1-C6), Research Fellows (Academic levels B1-B6), and Postdoctoral Research Fellows (Academic levels A6-B2) whose experience and expertise align with one or more of RMIT’s Strategic Research Priority Areas and who meet the eligibility criteria.
A Postdoctoral salary is calculated by the number of years post your PhD conferral, for example:
To be eligible for a Postdoctoral Fellowship your PhD must have been awarded in the previous five years from the application closing date. This means have an award of PhD date on or after 7 October 2019. If you were awarded a PhD prior to 7 October 2019 but have experienced a period of career interruption that would be commensurate with an award of the PhD within the previous five years, you may still apply. If applicable, please provide your career interruption periods in the application form. This will enable us to assess your equivalent number of years since award of your PhD based on your career interruption.
Yes, you can apply for an RMIT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship while you hold an externally funded research fellowship such as an ARC DECRA or Future Fellowship. Please ensure that any external fellowships you hold are listed in your CV as part of your application.
No, you cannot apply for more than one fellowship at a time. You should establish which Fellowship category is most suited to you, given the eligibility criteria in the position descriptions for each category, as well your skills and experience and apply for that fellowship.
RMIT staff on Casual or Fixed-Term contracts who meet the Fellowship’s eligibility criteria are eligible to apply. However, RMIT staff members already in an ongoing position are not eligible to apply for a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship.
Yes, there is no limit on how many times you can apply for a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship. If a previous application was unsuccessful and you have developed your academic track record and/or gained further experience since that application, RMIT encourages you to apply again.
Applications via our online, mobile friendly application portal, Vervoe, opens on 9 September 2024 and closes at 12 noon (AEDT) on 7 October 2024.
You will be asked:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview which may include a presentation to the selection panel. It is anticipated that interviews will take place during November 2024.
Preferred candidates will be asked to provide details of two referees to our background checks verification partner, CVCheck, before a formal offer is made.
Assessors take into consideration:
Please refer to the selection criteria outlined in the position description for full details.
RMIT is committed to 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. This program promotes women’s career development in STEMM and provides support to encourage staff success.
RMIT proudly holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award for our commitment to improve gender equity and diversity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines.
All Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows are hosted in one of RMIT's Schools within one of our three academic Colleges.
To address the under-representation of women in STEMM, there are some Schools where we will only accept applications from women, including those who identify as women or are gender diverse. This condition currently applies to academic levels A-D in the following Schools:
Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 permits the University to conduct female only recruitment in addressing the substantive imbalance of female representation in the Schools listed above
You will be able to record your video directly within the question on Vervoe by simply clicking “Record Video”. You can also record your video on your mobile device and upload to Vervoe. Please note you will be able to record and re-record as many times as you like before submitting.
All RMIT staff are offered professional development opportunities as part of their employment.
RMIT wants to ensure our people have the flexibility to take care of their life just as they take care of work. The University supports flexible work arrangements and will also consider requests for part-time positions.
How to calculate your Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for the application form:
This example illustrates a year worked at various FTE’s:
0.8 FTE for 4 months = 0.8 x 4 = 3.2 months
0.6 FTE for 6 months = 0.6 x 6 = 3.6 months
1 FTE for 2 months = 1 x 2 = 2 months
TOTAL = 3.2 + 3.6 + 2 = 8.8 months
Yes, RMIT values the Privacy of every individual and is committed to the responsible handling of personal information, for further details, see our Privacy Statement via the RMIT privacy website.
Successful candidates will need to be located in Melbourne or within commutable distance from one of our Melbourne Campuses.
Include all funding where you were a named investigator (in any investigator role, not just as lead). You should not include funding where you were hired onto a project (e.g., as a research assistant), only include funding where you were part of the research team that received the funding.
Applications cannot be edited after submission. If you have made a significant error in your application, you will need to submit a new application in Vervoe and then email us at researchfellowships@rmit.edu.au to remove the incorrect application.
We are expecting successful candidates to commence their Fellowships during the first quarter of 2025.
You are welcome to reach out to relevant RMIT research leads or groups. However, there is no need to contact anyone or do anything outside of the application process.
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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.