Masters by Research Scholarship

• Activating Social Connection to address isolation in Australia
• 2x Full time, fixed-term positions at our Hawthorn campus
• Annual $28,654 stipend

About the Scholarship
As part of the Australian Research Council funded grant project ‘Activating social connection to address isolation in Australia’, we have two scholarships available for enthusiastic students to undertake a Masters project on one of the following two topics:

1. Digital inclusion and Social Connection
The research focus of this project will be on investigating the intersection between place-based social connection and different uses of digital technologies. Working closely with industry partner Neami National (www.neaminational.org.au ), the project seeks to understand lived experiences of people with psychosocial disabilities and their online and offline social connections. Specifically, it will explore the role of hybrid interactions between digital technologies and material spaces and facilities in supporting social connection for vulnerable people.

2. Measurement of Social Connection
The research focus of this project will be on the development and testing of measurement for social connection. Working closely with industry partner The Australian Red Cross, the candidate will work as part of a project team in the Social Innovation Research Institute and be supervised by academics in the School of Business, Law & Entrepreneurship and the School of Health Sciences. Specifically, this project will work on developing a contemporary conceptual definition of social connection and contribute to the validation and implementation of a range of short and long-form measures for positive social connection.

About you
The ideal candidates are expected to be enthusiastic and self-motivated with a demonstrable aptitude for research and development. We are seeking persons who are passionate about collating interdisciplinary academic knowledge and translating it into practical resources for community practitioners to support them to better activate social connection in their communities.

To be suitable for this role you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in a discipline relevant to the research topic (or equivalent) with a minimum average of 65% in the final year units of study. Relevant study areas include digital media and communication, social work, psychology, public health, anthropology or similar.
• Research and/or work experience relevant to the project.
• Good team-working, observational and communication skills.

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 role and to review the position description; please click apply or click onto it at the bottom of the advert.

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 on Monday 15 August 2022 at 11:59 pm

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

Diversity and Inclusion
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation and we are proud of our commitment to equity and inclusion through key initiatives. For further information on all our initiatives visit our equity and 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 Maree Norden, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at [email protected]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For any support please contact our Aboriginal Employment Coordinator at [email protected] or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

Vaccination Requirements
Orders from Victoria’s Minister for Health require all Swinburne workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are an Excepted Person as defined by the Pandemic COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Workers) 2021 Order (No. 1). All applicants must therefore be able to comply with this requirement.

We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.(#LI-SW)

Click here for Position Description Opens in new window