Research Assistant, CAST research group, School of Art

• Fixed-term, part-time (0.6FTE) position until May 2024  
• Academic Level A ($68,983 - $93,569 p.a) + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements 
• The team is based at the Melbourne CBD campus, but flexible working arrangements are negotiable.  

About us 

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 91,000 students and 11,000 staff globally. RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online programs to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways. 

Our purpose is to offer life-changing experiences for our students, and to help shape the world with research, innovation, teaching and industry engagement. With strong industry connections forged over 130 years, collaboration with industry remains integral to RMIT’s leadership in education, applied and innovative research, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates. 

Culture 

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. 

Imagination. Agility. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. 

What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other.  

Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices. 

About the College and CAST research group

The College of Design and Social Context encompasses RMIT University’s renowned art, architecture, design, built environment, communication, and social science disciplines. 

The Contemporary Art and Social Transformation (CAST) research group is located in the School of Art, College of Design and Social Context rmit.edu.au/art.  This group produces art-research that critically engages with environmental, social and public spheres with a particular interest in how artistic practices intersect with issues of equity, access and democracy. CAST is currently leading art projects on creative care, ecology, education, queer(y)ng practice, migration and mobility, social practice and public art. The research group engages on local and international levels by collaborating with practitioners, communities, industry, and government partners.

CAST recognises the importance of Indigenous and First Nations voices, perspectives and agency. They believe that Indigenous ways of knowing and being are central to the fabric of contemporary life and we acknowledge the sovereignty of our First Peoples. In 2021, they will extend this vision to understand their place within the Asia Pacific Region through critical art-research and interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to socially-engaged practices driven by community interests and connected to industry partnerships.

 Please see website and archive of projects @ cast.org.au/

 About the role

The Research Assistant will undertake research activities as part of the three year ARC funded project ‘Ambitious and Fair: Strategies for a sustainable visual arts sector’.  The project will investigate economic challenges in the visual arts sector, including declining incomes for artists and arts workers, and bring together analyses of current value chains and emergent forms of economic organisation with qualitative insights into the lived experiences of artists and arts professionals. It will then propose interventions for industry and government to improve and develop this ecosystem. For more information about the project please see the project description at cast.org.au/ambitious-fair/.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Chief Investigators (CIs) between RMIT University and University of Melbourne and industry partners National Association of the Visual Arts visualarts.net.au/ and Australian Museums and Galleries Association amaga.org.au/. The role requires experience in qualitative data collection and management, project management and an understanding of the Australian visual arts sector.  The role will also involve administrative support, coordinating team meetings, undertaking interviews, assisting with literature reviews, maintenance of research data and project communications.

About You
To be successful in this role it is key that you can provide evidence of experience working in and with the Australian Visual Arts sector. It is beneficial to the candidate to have contributed to research outputs including publications, conference contributions and/or technical reports in the field including skills in qualitative data gathering and analysis. You will have the ability to work autonomously whilst displaying a strong commitment to work in a team environment and work effectively with colleagues, project team leaders, and industry partners both physically and virtually.  Key to the role will be your high level of communication skills, ability to meet deadlines and respond to changing priorities and workloads as required.

Qualifications 

Mandatory: Qualification in the relevant discipline area (cultural policy or creative arts and a strong knowledge of the Australian visual arts sector).

To?Apply? 

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link below. For further information please reach out to Dr Grace McQuilten, Senior Lecturer, School of Art via email grace.mcquilten@rmit.edu.au.

 PD_School of Art_RA_RMIT ARC.pdf

 Applications close 11:55pm on 12 May 2021 

Bring Your Whole Self to Work 

We are better for our diversity. When we listen to those who are different to us, or challenge us, we grow stronger together. When we feel like we belong, we can achieve so much more. We respect each other, embrace our differences and build a sense of belonging in our team and beyond.  

We are proud that our dedication to diversity has been recognised by a broad spectrum of external organisations. Visit our Linkedin Life pages to learn more and see some of our most recent wins. 

RMIT has a strong dhumbali (commitment) to the employment, development and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within a culturally safe environment; we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Receive opportunities at RMIT directly to your inbox by subscribing here.  

RMIT is a Disability Confident Recruitment Team and we are happy to adjust the recruitment process for your accessibility requirements. Please contact us at TalentSupport@rmit.edu.au telling us your preferred type of communication and we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your requirements. 

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.  

Please note that whilst we still accept applications from any persons interested in our roles, due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications from those with current working rights in Australia and who are not affected by travel restrictions. For further information please see here https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/ 

 We are a 2021 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trans and Gender Diverse applicants

Inclusion is at the durrung (or heart) of who we are. We aim to create an environment where staff and students who identify as trans and gender diverse feel supported to succeed and belong.

We recognise the challenges faced by the trans and gender diverse community when applying for a new role.

At RMIT, we aim to support you from the start. Our Talent Acquisition team are active members of the RMIT Ally network.

For enquires or support through the application, recruitment and onboarding process, applicants who identify as trans or gender diverse are invited to contact Mat Lewis at mat.lewis@rmit.edu.au