Forensicare and SUT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship

• Centre for Forensic Behavioural Sciences
• Full time, fixed term position at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science in Alphington, Victoria.
• Stipend of 45,000 p.a. for 3 years

About the Scholarship
We have an exciting Doctoral Scholarship opportunity funded by the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare). The scholarship opportunity is open to individuals who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are enrolled in a Doctoral Program. The scholarship aims to support highly motivated and competitive candidates in undertaking research that supports the research agenda of the Forensicare; 

• Evaluates and improves Forensicare services 
• Improves how we partner with our consumers and carers and promote their journey towards improved wellbeing and more meaningful lives 
• Strengthens the capability and wellbeing of our staff 
• Addresses the mental health and other causes of violence and complex problem behaviour 
• Improves how we prevent inpatient aggression and violence and reduce use of restrictive practices 
• Helps us address co-occurring disorders and other factors that delay recovery progress

The purpose and aims of the project will be developed in collaboration among Forensicare, the CFBS, and the successful applicant.

The chosen candidate will join one of our Doctoral programs, integrating into high-performing academic teams within a world-class research setting. This scholarship offers a significant opportunity to contribute to the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. Collaborating with supervisors, the candidate will address critical issues in forensic mental health care, working closely with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare) to establish an industry presence and build leadership networks.

Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science 

The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science (CFBS) is Australasia’s leading centre for excellence in the areas of forensic mental health and forensic behavioural science research, teaching and practice development. We bring together academics, clinicians, researchers, and students from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, law, occupational therapy and epidemiology. A key focus of the CFBS is to transfer academic and clinical excellence into practice in the health, community services and criminal justice sectors. Our research programs include: Aggression and Violence; Forensic Mental Health; Childhood Maltreatment and Youth Offending; Complex Criminal Behaviour; Culture, Psychology and Law; Psychology and Legal Processes; and Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Offender Management.

About you 
To be successful in the role, you will have:

• Bachelor degree honours and/or a research master’s degree in psychological sciences, health sciences, population and global health, and those with relevant industry experience, with a First Class Honours (average grade 80-100) or equivalent.
• Meet the entry requirements for the relevant Higher Degree by Research at Swinburne University of Technology. The scholarship is contingent upon the candidate enrolling in the Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences), or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) program.
• Demonstrated capacity to complete writing tasks to an excellent standard and strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with external research partner agencies to achieve collaborative outcomes.
• High level of comfort working with sensitive topics, and with diverse cultural groups, and an awareness of security and ethical issues associated with working with health and sensitive data.

A full list of selection criteria is available within the position description. 

About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship, and proud of it. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

How to apply and further information
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing why you believe you are suitable for this position.  

For further information about this position, contact Trentham Furness at [email protected]

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on [email protected]  

Applications Close: Open until suitable candidate is chosen. 

Swinburne offers flexible working options, leave and parenting/carer policies to support work life balance.

Equity and Diversity 
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation and we are proud of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives.  For further information on all our initiatives visit our Equity & Diversity website.

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates. If you have specific accessibility or support requirements please contact [email protected]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For any support please contact [email protected] or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action , Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

(Agency enquiries will not be accepted for this position)

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