Job Description

• Based at our Melbourne, Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and fixed-term (until March 2027)
• Level B $122,391 - $144,759 + 17% Superannuation

Why work with us?

At Deakin, you’ll be part of an inclusive, supportive culture where your contribution is valued and your wellbeing matters. With access to ongoing learning and development opportunities, you’ll be empowered to grow your career and make a meaningful impact in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

The Research Fellow will support the delivery of initiatives within the Sport Business Lab in the Faculty of Business and Law, contributing to the University’s strategic goals and operational priorities. The role involves achieving defined outcomes within their area of expertise, in alignment with Deakin’s established frameworks, priorities, and ways of working.

The Sport Business Lab at Deakin University is one of Australia’s leading applied sport research centres, bringing together more than 20 academics, research fellows and PhD students and working with over 25 sport, government and industry partners. The Lab supports a growing portfolio of applied research projects across areas including social impact and connection through sport, gender equality, governance and organisational performance, community sport participation, workforce and volunteer experience, athlete welfare, and digital engagement and fan experience.

This opportunity will involve contributing directly to these projects through research design, data collection and analysis, reporting, and the translation of findings into practical outcomes for sport organisations and policymakers.

As a Research Fellow, you will:

• Lead and conduct high-quality, impactful research in their discipline
• Design and develop innovative research projects and outputs
• Collaborate with others to generate novel research outcomes
• Explore and build new research areas while supporting researcher development
• Contribute to real-world impact and a dynamic, high-performing research team

To be successful, you’ll have:

• PhD in a relevant discipline and/or equivalent research qualifications and experience, including experience gained in academic, government, industry or applied research settings.
• Demonstrated capability in applied research design and delivery, including development of research protocols, ethics applications, literature reviews, and quantitative and/or qualitative data collection.
• Strong analysis skills, with demonstrated experience in quantitative and/or qualitative analysis and relevant research software (e.g. SPSS or equivalent statistical packages, qualitative analysis software, coding or other analytical tools).
• Demonstrated ability to translate research into high-quality outputs, including industry or government reports, summaries, presentations, academic manuscripts and/or conference submissions.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage research activities, contribute to project administration, and build effective working relationships with academic, industry, government and community stakeholders.

We welcome applicants from academic, government or industry research backgrounds who bring strong research capability, an ability to work with applied projects and stakeholders, and a genuine interest in producing research that contributes to both academic outcomes and policy and practice in Australian sport.

Here's how to apply:

*Applicants must have full Australian working rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position*

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Adam Karg (Professor of Sport Management) via email at a.karg@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

PD #588351 Research Fellow - PD 05052026 (Sport Business Lab).pdf

Applications for this position close on Wednesday 26 August 2026.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process. A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence. A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.