Campus Location: Melbourne, Australia

Job No: APTAV119903#002

Conduct high-level research for the Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) Program
Full time, fixed-term role for 5 years based at Melbourne campus

About ACU:
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is an inclusive community which welcomes students and staff of all beliefs. ACU has over 2,500 staff supporting more than 34,000 students across eight campuses – Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

As valued members of our community, all staff members are expected to have an understanding of ACU’s mission and values and to demonstrate an active contribution to them.

About Faculty of Theology and Philosophy:
The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy is the largest Faculty of its kind in Australia. It comprises of two national schools: the School of Theology and the School of Philosophy; and the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry and the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy. ACU has prioritised research intensification and has developed a strategy designed to achieve excellence in a selected number of areas of strategic priority, including theology and philosophy. The outcome has been a remarkable transformation in the research standing of the University. In the 2019 THE World University Rankings, ACU rose to the 401-500 band for research and specifically to the 201-300 band in the Arts and Humanities subject rankings, which includes Philosophy. The investment in theology and philosophy is further evidenced through the results of the recent assessment of research quality conducted by the Australian Research Council, known as ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia). The 2018 ERA results rank ACU first in religion and religious studies in Australia, with our research in both philosophy, and religion and religious studies rated ‘above world standard’. We offer theology and philosophy for students at any stage of their life or career journey, with learning opportunities provided across multiple points of engagement, and across a variety of delivery modes. There are short courses, certificate and bachelor opportunities, postgraduate coursework programs, professional and research degrees, international study tours, and a wide range of professional learning and in-service opportunities. Our programs are conceived in collaboration with industry, community, and church leaders. They are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in an evolving, global and digital world.

About Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry:
The Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry (IRCI) collaborates with researchers from around the globe to examine ideas, beliefs and history in order to advance understanding of our world and imagine ways to improve it. To this end the IRCI promotes collaborative research on religion and critical thought from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including philosophy, theology, history, and literature. It explores the inter-relationships between philosophy, religion, and their cultural contexts, and contributes to contemporary philosophical, theological, social, and political debates. Founded in 2014, the Institute is still in a growth phase but has three established research programs: Biblical and Early Christian Studies, Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and Religion and Theology. Each program includes full-time researchers and research students. The IRCI has established research partnerships with leading institutions in Europe, the UK, and North America, and presents a series of research seminars each year at ACU’s Rome Campus. It sits within the Faculty for Theology and Philosophy, the largest such Faculty in Australia, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses and higher research degrees across six campuses. In the recent ERA 2015 assessment, the University was ranked at above world standard (ERA score of 4) in Religion and Religious Studies and in Philosophy, placing it among the best universities in Australia in these fields. Research activities encompass projects, seminars, workshops, public engagement and conferences that enhance intellectual discourse and debate.

About the role:
As Research Fellow you will produce high-quality research to contribute to and strengthen the University’s research profile, and more specifically the research profile of the Institute. Research Fellow will have research expertise in medieval studies, specifically the area of medievalism (historical, creative, aesthetic, material and political interpretations of the Middle Ages in contemporary contexts), and will augment the current work of the MEMS program and Institute in areas such as (but not limited to) cultural memory, global and religious mobilities, histories of sexuality and gender, literary and historical studies, theory and critique. Through individual and collaborative research and publications, and participating in Institute activities, the Research Fellow will help to enhance the national and international research profile of both MEMS and the Institute.

You will need to have:
A PhD in historical or literary studies.
Eligibility to submit an ARC DECRA or Future Fellowship application during the 5-year appointment period.
A research record of outstanding publications in highly regarded scholarly outlets relevant to the field, and demonstrated successful collaborative research experience.
Demonstrated capacity to attract external research grant funding.
Demonstrated ability to participate as part of a collaborative team.
Demonstrated capacity to supervise or honours or higher degree research students or projects.
Demonstrated ability to engage a wide public audience in chosen field of expertise.

The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.

How to Apply:
Obtain the Position Description from the website. Applicants are expected to address all selection criteria listed in the position description and outline how they would support the mission of the university. To apply for this role click the ‘View Position Description and Apply’ buttons above or below. Visit Hints and Tips on how to apply.

Total remuneration valued to $126,303 – $149,019 total rem (pro rata) pa, including salary component $106,728 – $126,011 (pro rata) pa (Academic Level B), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

General enquiries can be sent to Megan Cassidy-Welch, Program Director, Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at: megan.cassidy-welch@acu.edu.au

For applicants currently based overseas, ACU will provide support for relocation expenses and visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity and Privacy of personal information is University policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

Find out more information on the benefits of working at ACU at: www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/careers-at-acu/why-work-at-acu

ACU is committed to diversity and social inclusion in its employment practices. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people from culturally diverse groups are encouraged.

Advertised: 28-OCT-2022

Applications close: 28-NOV-2022 at 11:59pm AUS Eastern Standard Time

For further information and to apply please see: https://www.seek.com.au/job/59009437?type=standout#sol=6c26d7c5cfa520b0abd6b0c19b10bf32f804c7f5