Creating a brighter future for all

Griffith University is a progressive, values-led university dedicated to learning, leadership, and innovation. This is your chance to help us achieve our vision to transform lives and add to human knowledge and understanding in a way that creates a future that benefits all.

Since opening in 1975, Griffith has grown from one campus and 451 students to become a comprehensive, multi-campus institution, with 50,000 students and more than 200,000 graduates.

The Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI) is a large, diverse, and high-performing group of scholars focused on crime and justice issues. Through collaboration and innovation our research is helping find solutions to universal problems. GCI is a world leader in the criminology field and has twice achieved the highest possible ranking for research quality in the Australian Research Council Excellence in Research Assessments. Our research is distinctive in its focus on rigorous scholarship coupled with engaged translation, to achieve real world change.

We are looking for a motivated and highly skilled Research Fellow to work with a team of scholars interested in “Understanding the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism in Australia”. The successful applicant will work closely with the project team to investigate the drivers of conspiracy-fuelled extremist beliefs and behaviours. Centrally, we seek to understand conspiracy-fuelled extremism through a theoretical framework that considers “injustice grievances” brought on by the COVID pandemic, alongside the “de-legitimisation” of governments, authorities and policies that occurred during the pandemic. This framework allows us to investigate how individuals responded to perceived injustices, and why this resulted in the de-legitimisation of authorities and policies, to produce extremist attitudes and behaviours. Importantly, our project also seeks to explore the social harms conspiracy-fuelled extremism creates for both families and society. The project is funded by an Australian Research Council grant awarded to Griffith researchers Professor Kristina and Dr Keiran Hardy. The position will be research focused, reporting to Professor Kristina Murphy, and will be based at Griffith University’s Mount Gravatt Campus in Brisbane.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Conduct research that contributes to the research objectives of the research program: “Understanding the emerging threat of conspiracy-fuelled extremism in Australia”.
• Oversee some data collection and undertake complex statistical analysis of collected community survey data (demonstrated experience using SPSS, STATA, AMOS, or MPLUS, etc is essential).
• Develop a strong publication record in high impact, international, esteemed peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist in supervising higher degree research candidates (e.g., Honours, Masters or PhD students) and/or research assistants where needed.
• Contribute to other research tasks for the project as appropriate to research skills.

This is a full-time, fixed term (three years) position based at the Griffith University Mount Gravatt campus.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in criminology, social psychology, terrorism studies, or a relevant field from a recognised university. Applicants with a PhD under examination or who will submit their PhD for examination before June 30, 2023 may also be considered. We are specifically looking for an applicant with strong quantitative research skills (i.e. demonstrated experience working with survey data and statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, AMOS, or MPLUS, etc. is essential) and who has an evidenced research track record in the areas of extremism/terrorism studies, justice and legitimacy, conspiracy beliefs, or a similar field.

In addition to the above, you will demonstrate:

1. The ability to work under pressure and to prioritise tasks to meet project timelines;
2. High levels of initiative and flexibility;
3. Well-developed organisational, interpersonal and written communication skills;
4. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.

Salary Range
The base salary for a Research Fellow (Grade 1) is in the range $78,437 - $91,879 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total package is in the range $91,771 - $107,498 per annum.

How to Apply
Please submit your application online and ensure your application includes the following:    

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, in particular addressing the key criteria as listed in the Qualifications section (above).  
• Current curriculum vitae/resume which should include:  
  • Full name, address, telephone number and email address;  
  • Details of education, professional training and qualifications;  
  • Employment history, including present position and details of relevant professional, consulting or industry experience;  
  • Research interests and list of publications;  
  • Research grants awarded and any other relevant information, such as offices held in professional bodies, community services etc.  

Click here to view the Position Description.

Visa sponsorship is possible for this appointment for candidates who do not hold valid Australian work rights.  Griffith University will cover visa sponsorship fees, but the visa applicant fee and relocation costs will be borne by the successful applicant.

What Griffith University Offers

• Flexible working options and genuine work-life balance
• Salary packaging options & corporate health discounts 
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave

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.

Further Information
For further information about this role, please contact Professor Kristina Murphy via email:  [email protected]

For application support, please contact Marina Dos Prazeres, Talent Acquisition Consultant, on (07) 373 58106 or via email:  [email protected]

Closing date: Wednesday, 29 March 2023 at 5:00pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.