Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university. You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

The Research Fellow will work on the Australian Research Council funded Discovery Project ‘Mapping & Harnessing Public Trust and Mistrust’. Declining public trust is well recognised as a problem of democratic government, including in Australia. However, solutions are more elusive, confounded by the reality that mistrust and distrust play not just negative, but positive roles in our existing political and constitutional traditions. The project is developing and testing new measures of the content of trust, including the positive values of mistrust in citizen political attitudes and experience, and a first longitudinal study of changing trust over time. The results will inform concrete solutions to key policy reform dilemmas, providing better answers for sustaining public trust overall.

The Research Fellow will work within the Centre for Governance and Public Policy, under the supervision of the project’s Chief Investigator, Professor A J Brown AM. The Research Fellow will occupy a research-only position and will be expected to contribute to excellence in research, project delivery and engagement and to develop their expertise in these areas.

The Research Fellow will lead and support team research contributing to the project in terms of research design, project management, development of data-sets, data manipulation, data analysis, and drafting of academic papers, with a focus on the measurement, mapping, and drivers of trust. The empirical focus is on Australia, however the project may provide opportunity for comparative dimensions.

This is a fixed term (up to 3 years), full time position and will be primarily based at the Griffith University Nathan campus. As Griffith is a multi-campus University you may be required to work across other campus locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
The full time equivalent base salary for a Research Fellow (Grade 2) is in the range $105,144 - $148,520 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $150,698 - $173,768 per annum.

What matters most is your drive to create a brighter future that benefits all. Through our core principles of excellence, ethics and engagement, you’ll thrive on seeing the direct and lasting impact you’ll have on every community and every future.

You will also have:

• A PhD in a relevant field, including but not limited to political science, political communication, public policy or cognate discipline.
• Strong research skills with a focus on experimental design and computational text analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis and programming.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research projects, including data collection and publication preparation.
• Excellent mentoring and supervisory skills for higher degree research candidates and support staff.
• Effective communication and networking abilities for establishing partnerships.

Why Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme
• Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the qualifications above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)

VISA Sponsorship will be available to the successful candidate.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Dr Max Groemping, Senior Lecturer, School of Government, and International Relations on [email protected]. 

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Jinita Dhall, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected].

For application support, please contact People Services on +61 (0) 7 3735 4011 and quote reference number REF4075B.

Closing date: Friday, 15 March 2024 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.