Associate Research Fellow

• Based in Parkville + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
• Level A ($83,268,350 - $111,939) + 17% Superannuation

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across five campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, and our dynamic online Campus. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

This role conducts preclinical psychiatry research through the design and delivery of behavioural neuroscience experiments in rodent models.

The Associate Research Fellow will work across two major projects: “SYNDICAT: synergy for the development of innovative clinical treatments in schizophrenia” and “Prefrontal dopamine in the dynamic processes of learning across lifetime”. Responsibilities include behavioural training, tissue collection and sectioning, surgeries, tissue processing (e.g., immunohistochemistry), and microscopy imaging in rodents, with rats likely to be the focus.

You will contribute to all facets of the projects, including administrative and laboratory duties, and also manage and mentor the research assistant in the projects. Working closely with your manager and project team, you will also organise and participate in relevant meetings and maintain communication with members of the Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory. The role is primarily based at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (Parkville) as an external contractor and Deakin Downtown (Docklands).

• Conduct high-quality research, scholarship, and creative activities generating high impact outputs with mentorship including execution of experiments including but not limited to rodent behavioural training, tissue collection/sectioning, surgeries, tissue processing (e.g., immunohistochemistry), and microscopy imaging in rodents
• Supervise and train more junior staff including higher degree research students (PhD, Masters, Honours)
• Undertake general administrative duties involved in managing a laboratory
• Manage or provide significant assistance to the operations of the research laboratory including maintaining laboratory equipment and materials, the disposal of waste and the ordering of supplies.
• Data entry and analysis and preparation of results and reports as requested by their manager
• Support and may lead applications for funding for research and creative activities
• Begin building body of work and reputation and recognition for quality, excellence and impact

• PhD in a psychology, neuroscience, biomedicine, or other related discipline with a and/or other relevant qualifications and experience
• Experience in a variety of laboratory techniques, with an emphasis on rodent handling and behavioural training experience
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology
• Surgery in small animals
• Demonstrated ability to analyse information and produce clear, succinct reports and documents with reliability, accuracy and attention to detail
• Developing track record in the field of neuroscience. Research experience that has resulted in publications, conference papers, reports, or professional or technical contributions, which give evidence of research ability

• Experience in voltammetry and electrophysiology
• Experience in biostatistical analysis
• Proficiency in confocal microscopy
• Ability to develop new techniques, to troubleshoot and interpret data

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

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

Position Description - Associate Research Fellow.pdf

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.

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. 

Advertised: 14 May 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Jun 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now