Research Fellow 1

Position overview

The Research Fellow 1 (RF1) is a research professional responsible for working collaboratively with both internal and external project stakeholders to enable the delivery of quality research and project outcomes.

Position context

The Australian Council for Educational Research is an international, independent, not-for-profit educational research and development organisation. Approximately 410 staff work for the ACER Group in Australia, India, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The Assessment Development program, located within the Assessment Development, Implementation and Reporting Division, creates assessments and related resources that are underpinned by research. Major areas of work include defining constructs; building frameworks; developing blueprints; creating stimuli, items, and contextual questions; collaborating to ensure linguistically equivalent versions of assessments across languages; developing learning progressions and other descriptions of growth in learning; evaluating and advising on curriculum and assessment; and disseminating outcomes.

Much of the work within the Assessment Development Research Program is conducted in test development teams dedicated to different areas of assessment, and in designated project teams. This position works within the STEM Thinking and Reasoning (STaR) team under the direction of the Team Leader, in projects within the Program area and across other programs as required.

ACER is committed to the professional growth of staff throughout their employment. It encourages and supports staff in a variety of ways to actively pursue professional learning, including with reference to the ACER Leadership Development Framework. ACER encourages all staff to consider ways in which they might make a leadership contribution to ACER's work.

Job responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with both internal and external project stakeholders to enable the delivery of research and project outcomes to agreed objectives, standards, timelines and budgets
• Conduct and deliver components of high-quality research to meet project objectives
• Contribute to design and construct components of survey and assessment instruments, and learning materials
• Undertake data collection and analysis
• Prepare components of reports and other forms of project dissemination and communication
• Contribute to preparing research proposal submissions, applications and tenders for new business
• Actively contribute to and participate in continuous improvement activities to enhance the delivery of research outcomes at ACER
• Develop and build professional collegiality through participation in events, forums, workshops and conferences at ACER and in the broader research community
• Contribute to ACER’s higher education courses through writing content, teaching and online moderation where agreed and as appropriate/relevant

Organisational accountabilities

• Proactively work towards achieving individual, team and organisational objectives while demonstrating ACER’s leadership behaviours:
  • Developing Self – involves self-management, self-reflection and self-improvement
  • Embracing Change – being open to change and leading change when appropriate
  • Pursuing Excellence – ongoing search for new and better ways of working
  • Setting Directions – strategic thinking and planning for the future
  • Supporting Colleagues – supporting and contributing to the development of others
  • Working Collaboratively – building highly effective internal and external relationships

• Actively work to create an equitable, fair and harmonious work environment which is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination by demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour towards others
• Proactively foster an inclusive and diverse work environment which encourages and respects different experiences and perspectives, and values diversity of thought
• Comply with all occupational health and safety requirements, including following safe work practices for self and others
• Comply with all information security requirements, including completing regular security training and abiding by the standards and procedures laid out in ACER’s Information Security Management System
• Work in accordance with ACER’s policies and procedures

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated experience undertaking quality educational research
• Experience working on collaborative research projects
• Ability to communicate research approaches, concepts and outcomes both verbally and in writing
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while maintaining high attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to foster and develop effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Computer literacy, particularly with general business software and relevant analytical software
• Willingness to learn and demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and professional development

Education