Research Assistant in Criminology

Position Details

• Two-year contract | Part Time at 0.3FTE
• HEO Level 5 I $84,599 - $93,366 pa (pro-rata for part-time) | 17% Super
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country
• View Position Description

About the Position

Flinders University is seeking a Research Assistant to support an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) project titled “Transforming Community Corrections: Co-Designing and Testing a New Framework for Supervision.” This project brings together co-design and longitudinal research to improve supervision practices and support better desistance outcomes in community corrections.

As a Research Assistant, you will contribute to high-impact, applied research in the justice sector while developing skills in complex research design, data management, and mixed-methods analysis.

You will work closely with the Chief Investigator and research team to support the delivery of the project by:

• Preparing ethics applications, reports, and compliance documentation
• Conducting literature searches and summarising key findings
• Supporting participant recruitment, tracking, and retention over time
• Assisting with data collection scheduling and coordination
• Managing secure data storage and preparing datasets for analysis
• Liaising with community corrections stakeholders and project partners

About You:

You are a motivated and detail-oriented research professional with an interest in criminology, justice systems, or applied social research. You are comfortable working in a structured research environment and are eager to contribute to meaningful, real-world outcomes in community corrections.

You bring strong organisational skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to engage respectfully with participants and safeguard their data. You are developing or have foundational experience in research methods, data management, and literature review, and are keen to grow your capability in longitudinal and mixed-methods research.

You will demonstrate:

• A degree in Criminology, Psychology, Social Work, or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience/training
• Strong organisational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Understanding of ethical research practices and respectful participant engagement
• Ability to support literature reviews and research documentation
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders
• Familiarity with (or willingness to learn) research data management and analysis tools

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Flinders is also located in Adelaide, one of Australia’s most liveable and affordable cities. Adelaide offers a Mediterranean climate, world-class food and wine, pristine beaches, and vibrant cultural festivals. With short commutes, a welcoming community, and excellent work-life balance, Adelaide is an ideal place to build your career and lifestyle.

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
• Wide range of professional development activities, funds and services.
• Wellbeing Initiatives via Thriving@Flinders.
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.

How to Apply and Information

• You are required to submit a CV and a Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the Key Position Capabilities of the position description.
• For more information regarding this position, please contact Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo.

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

31 May 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.