Vice-Chancellor’s Research & Impact Fellowship scheme

Established in 2025 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker, VU's Vice-Chancellor’s Research and Impact Fellowship scheme (VCRIF) advances our strategic goal to maximise research with impact.

The scheme will attract, support, and retain up to six high-performing research fellows (Round 1) through a competitive process.

Key dates

Date	Step
Wednesday 14 May 2025	Guidelines released. Applications open.
Wednesday 11 June 2025	Applications close (5pm AEDT).
Week of 14th July 2025	Interview period for shortlisted candidates.
By end of July 2025	Notification of outcomes.
	Fellowships commence no later than January 2026.

Overview

Victoria University’s vision outlined in our strategic plan 2022-2028 “Start Well Finish Brilliantly” is to be a global leader in dual sector research and learning by 2028. Our strategic research purpose is to create life-changing and world–leading research for the wellbeing of our people, place and planet.

VU’s six priority research areas for this role, closely aligned with our Research and Impact Plan (2023–2028), are building national and global recognition.

The VCRIF fellowship is structured at four levels (B–E):

View our Research and Impact Plan (2023–2028):

VU Research & Impact Plan 2023-2028 (PDF, 13.99 MB)

The VCRIF priority areas include:

1. Innovating education & future-proofing Australia’s workforce  

Research that enhances education delivery, improves student outcomes, and aligns with future workforce needs.

2. Sport that inspires elite performance, community participation & healthy living

Research that advances elite sports performance, sports technology, community health, and participation.

3. Health & wellbeing solutions

Solutions for chronic disease prevention, mental health, health equity, and integrated care models.

4. Transforming communities through policy, practice & governance  

Research on public policy, governance, social innovation, and community-led transformation.

5. Smart, sustainable & liveable cities  

Research on urban planning, infrastructure, sustainable development, and climate resilience.

6. ‘By community, for community’ First Nations Knowledge

Research that is led by, or in partnership with, First Nations communities, ensuring knowledge sovereignty and cultural impact.

About the Fellowship

Victoria University’s Vice- Chancellor’s Research and Impact Fellowship (VCRIF) scheme advances our strategic goals to maximise research with impact.

We are seeking high-performing researchers who will contribute to Victoria University’s strategic ambition to be a global leader in research and innovation and whose work aligns with our research focus areas.

The fellowship is structured at four levels (B–E), with responsibilities and expectations scaled accordingly: 

Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Research and Impact Fellow (Level E) 
Vice Chancellor’s Principal Research and Impact Fellow (Level D) 
Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research and Impact Fellow (Level C) 
Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and Impact Fellow (Level B)

We expect Fellowship recipients to drive impactful research on critical challenges through collaboration, ethical inquiry, and strong engagement—aligned with VU’s six priority research areas listed in the Overview.

To achieve these aims, the Fellowship Scheme will:

Provide dedicated research time to enable Fellows to deliver high-quality, high-impact research outcomes.
Foster interdisciplinary and industry-engaged research by embedding Fellows within a supportive and collaborative research ecosystem.
Support research leadership development, including mentoring of early career academics, and contribution to research capacity building at VU.
Advance equity and inclusion in research, particularly by encouraging applications from underrepresented groups and promoting First Nations-led research.

VCRIF 2025 guidelines (PDF, 735.1 KB)

: College/Portfolio/Institute: Dependent on the successful applicant’s research specialisation 
Campus Location: The position will be primarily located at one of VU’s metropolitan Melbourne campuses, with travel to other VU campuses as required. Hybrid work arrangements are available. 
Appointment level: Academic Level B–E  
Employment Type: Fixed-Term:  
3 years for Levels B & C 
Up to 5 years for Levels D & E 
Fellows will have a significant research time allocation for the duration of the fellowship. Fellows will also undertake other academic activities including teaching and leadership, HDR supervision and administrative duties. 
Time Fraction: 1.0 FTE 
Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary package based on appointment level  
Research Allowance: A limited annual research allowance will be included in the package. 
Research Allocation: Research-focused 
: To be eligible for the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Impact Fellowship, applicants must meet the following eligibility commensurate to the academic level they are applying for:
A PhD in a relevant discipline.
A demonstrated strong research track record of high-quality research outputs (Q1 journal publications, reports, patents, or equivalent).
Proven track record in research leadership, including the ability to mentor staff to achieve quality outcomes, lead and foster collaborative research teams in proportion to their academic level.
Proven track record to secure significant and sustained competitive external funding to support ongoing research activity, and manage funded projects, including oversight of budgets and reporting obligations in proportion to their academic level.
Significant experience in supervising higher degree by research candidates, with a strong focus on enhancing research quality and performance in proportion to their academic level.
Proven experience conducting multi-disciplinary research.
Valid work rights in Australia, including Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency, or a current visa that permits employment for the duration of the fellowship.
Research experience that aligns with at least one of the six priority research areas.
Applicants must be available to begin their fellowship by November 30, 2025, and no later than January 30, 2026.
Current VU academic staff who meet general eligibility requirements may apply if their current appointment at the time of application is sessional or fixed-term. VU staff on ongoing continuing appointments are not eligible.
Eligible career interruptions and achievements relative to opportunity will be taken into consideration upon application.
: Step one:
Review the guidelines
Completed application (specified in the guidelines) must be submitted via Jobs at VU.
VCRIF 2025 guidelines (PDF, 735.1 KB)
Step two:
Interviews will be arranged for shortlisted candidates.
Interviewees will be asked to attend a face to face or online interview during the interview period specified in the key dates.