Research Fellow - Sustainability Governance

Job No.: 691472

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time 

Duration: 3 year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: $118,974 - $141,283 pa Level B plus 17% employer superannuation

• Amplify your impact at a world top 50 University
• Join our inclusive, collaborative community
• Be surrounded by extraordinary ideas - and the people who discover them

The Opportunity

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will contribute to a project examining sustainability governance through goal-setting. The project investigates the policy and institutional impacts of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across different national contexts, and seeks to explain variations in impact through existing governance structures and socio-political conditions. The research aims to inform the next global sustainable development agenda beyond 2030 by identifying the conditions under which goal-setting has been effective in driving meaningful policy and institutional change.

The Research Fellow will undertake high-quality research both independently and collaboratively, producing scholarly outputs and engaging with policy actors, UN agencies and other stakeholders to support data collection and dissemination. The role includes designing and running workshops and science–policy dialogues, supporting and supervising research staff, assisting with external grant applications, and participating in professional and administrative activities related to the project. There will also be opportunities to contribute to teaching and supervise honours or postgraduate research students within the Fellow’s area of expertise.

As the successful candidate, you will hold a doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline such as public policy or sustainability governance, with a strong track record of refereed journal publications and experience preparing research proposals and manuscripts. You will bring demonstrated expertise in social science mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) and statistical analysis, experience designing and facilitating large workshops, and the ability to supervise and mentor research staff and higher degree or honours students. With strong organisational and communication skills, you will be able to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, contribute in a collegiate manner, and demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytical software. Familiarity and experience with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) will be desirable. 

About Monash University

At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something ground breaking – a place where great things happen.

We value difference and diversity, and welcome and celebrate everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. That’s why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.

Some 20,000 staff work for Monash around the world. We have 95,000 students, four Australian campuses, and campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia. We also have a major presence in India and China, and a significant centre and research foundation in Italy.

In our short history, we have skyrocketed through global university rankings and established ourselves consistently among the world's best tertiary institutions. We rank in the world’s top-50 universities in rankings including the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Together with our commitment to academic freedom, you will have access to quality research facilities, infrastructure, world-class teaching spaces, and international collaboration opportunities. 

Learn more about Monash.

Today, we have the momentum to create the future we need for generations to come. Accelerate your change here. 

Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.

To Apply

For instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'. Your application must address the Key Selection Criteria.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.

Enquiries: Associate Professor Shirin Malekpour, School of Social Sciences, shirin.malekpour@monash.edu

Position Description: Research Fellow

Applications Close: Thursday 9th of April 2026, 11:55pm AEST