.

Position

Description

Position title: Research Fellow, GHERG

School/Section/VCO: School of Engineering, IT and Physical Sciences

Campus: Gippsland Campus. Travel between campuses may be required.

Classification: Academic Level B

Time fraction: Full‐time

Employment mode: Fixed‐term employment

Probationary period: This appointment is offered subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Thomas Baumgartl, Director, Geotechnical & Hydrogeological Engineering Research Further information from: Telephone: (03) 5122 6122 E‐mail: [email protected]

Recruitment number: 849856

Background Federation University Australia is a modern, progressive institution providing high‐quality vocational and higher education across a national and international network of campuses. The University has a distinguished history as one of Australia’s oldest higher education institutions and is celebrating 150 years in 2020. It became Federation University Australia in January 2014 upon amalgamation of the University of and ’s Gippsland Campus. Our campuses span Ballarat, Berwick, Gippsland and the Wimmera in . A new campus in Brisbane, Queensland, provides further opportunities for international students and student mobility. The School of Engineering, Information Technology and Physical Sciences offers Bachelor degrees in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Mechatronics and Mining), Mathematics, Information Technology and Science (primarily Metallurgy and Geology). The School has a range of programmes, especially in Information Technology. It is also in the process of establishing a range of programmes in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Data Science and Industrial Engineering and has an almost unique capability in Australia in that it delivers programmes in Geology, Mining, Engineering and Mineral Processing that supports the strong resources sector. The School also offers a number of Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters by coursework programmes. These programmes are offered on campus and at a number of locations throughout Australia and overseas. Research and consultancy forms a major aspect of the School’s activities with numerous partnerships established with local, state, national and international organisations. In the recent Excellence in Research for Australia the school received a rating of 5* for civil engineering and applied mathematics, 4* for artificial intelligence and image processing

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and 3* for pure mathematics. Currently there are over 100 doctoral, masters and honours students enrolled. The School is looking to strengthen its academic profile in information technology to keep pace with student demand and grow its research capacity.

Position summary This position works closely with fellow researchers on the research project: ‘Numerical investigation of coal cover stability and long rehabilitated slopes in Latrobe Valley brown coal mines’ within the Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Engineering Research Group (GHERG). The research fellow will work with high calibre academics, leading industries and higher degree research students on a range of initiatives within the group. The position will play a key role in GHERG projects including research into:  Geomechanical properties and slope stability of covers on coal;  Interaction of geological, hydrological and mechanical properties of tertiary deposits in coal mining; and  Advanced numerical modelling of hydrological and geomechanical processes for the specific needs of the project. Appropriate to the level of the appointment, the research fellow may be expected to:  Contribute to the School’s research program; and  Contribute to the School’s administrative functions.

Key responsibilities 1. Conduct research and lead research team projects and meetings as required and contribute to project management, research governance and other administrative functions primarily connected with her/his area of research. 2. Lead report writing including literature review. 3. Disseminate research findings widely through peer‐review journal papers, relevant seminars, workshops, conferences as appropriate. 4. Collaborate, where required, with partner investigators and research students to enable research team to meet milestones. 5. Supervise research support staff and collaborate with other Centre staff and students and external researchers on projects, grants and papers, as relevant to specific allocated research tasks. 6. Contribute to the preparation of research proposals to external funding bodies either independently or as part of a research team. 7. Participate in professional development including, subject to availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the field of expertise. 8. Co‐supervise, and where appropriate, supervise honours and postgraduate research projects. 9. Attend meetings associated with research or the work of the GHERG to which the research is connected and/or School meetings and/or membership of a limited number of committees. 10. Other responsibilities applicable to a Level B academic under current minimum standards for Academic Levels, as assigned by the Director, GHERG. 11. Reflect and embed the University’s strategic purpose, priorities and goals when exercising the responsibilities of this position. For a more complete understanding and further information please access the Strategic Plan at: https://federation.edu.au/about‐us/our‐university/strategic‐plan.

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12. Undertake the responsibilities of the position adhering to:  The Staff and Child Safe Codes of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy and Procedure;  Equal Opportunity and anti‐discrimination legislation and requirements;  the requirements for the inclusion of people with disabilities in work and study;  Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation and requirements; and  Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV) legislation.

Level of responsibility The Research Fellow will work independently in the conduct of research activities and be an active contributor to the GHERG research team and School activities.

Training and qualifications The Research Fellow will hold at least a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering or geomechanics. A doctorate degree in geotechnical engineering or geomechanics would be desirable.

Position/Organisational relationships The Research Fellow will work under the broad direction of the Director, GHERG, and work as part of the School’s team of academic and administrative staff.

Key selection criteria Applicants must demonstrate they are able to undertake the inherent responsibilities of the position as contained in the position description and are able to meet the following key selection criteria: 1. A master’s degree, in a relevant field of research with specific expertise in geotechnical engineering or geomechanics. A doctoral degree is desirable. 2. Previous work experience in a relevant industry. 3. Demonstrated ability to carry out academic research involving laboratory and field investigation, evidenced through publications in high quality academic journals or other equally recognised relevant research production. 4. Demonstrated capacity to contribute to current research activities and to propose new research initiatives within the research group, including the preparation and submission of relevant grant and funding applications. 5. Demonstrated expertise in working with appropriate modelling tools for geotechnical engineering research. 6. Demonstrated ability to provide support for research and undergraduate students on the development and analysis of geotechnical investigations. 7. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work collegially, relate well to students and stakeholders at varying levels across the University and external industry partners. 8. Experience of appropriate finite element analysis tools and techniques. 9. Demonstrated capability to perform slope stability analyses. 10. Demonstrated organisational and administrative abilities necessary for the construction, coordination and administration of projects, and other administrative duties as required. 11. Demonstrated alignment with the University’s commitment to child safety.

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The University reserves the right to invite applications and to make no appointment.

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Key Minimum Standards for Academic Levels (MSALs) Research academic staff

Level B

A Level B research academic will normally have experience in research or scholarly activities which have resulted in publications in refereed journals or other demonstrated scholarly activities.

A Level B research academic will carry out independent and/or team research. A Level B research academic may supervise postgraduate research students or projects and be involved in research training.

The standards are not exhaustive of all tasks in academic employment, which is by its nature multi‐skilled and involves an overlap of duties between levels.

Federation University Australia Union Enterprise Agreement 2019–2021 Academic and General Staff Employees

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