Postdoctoral Research Associate in Transformation Projects

• Opportunity to contribute to innovative research on project leadership and project management
• Located in the School of Project Management and the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership
• Full time, Level A, fixed term for 2 years, with possibility of renewal, offering a base salary of $95K – $105K p.a., + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity 

The School of Project Management was established in 2020 to facilitate collaborative research excellence in the field of project studies. Through our academic staff and students, our research will aim to serve the public as a thought-leader and provide insights to project leaders and project sponsors and improve project governance by working closely with industry, government and policy.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the team in the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, which is located within the School, working across the university to develop a shared program of research and executive education that enables better understanding and practice of project leadership.

In this role you will conduct empirical research to understand the relationship between major projects and the governing boards of the organisations that deliver them. The research will be conducted with the objective of aiding senior project managers in effectively engaging with their boards and enabling boards to take a more effective role in the governance of major projects. In conducting this research, you will have the opportunity to directly engage with the managers of major projects and the board members of leading organisations.

You will also conduct empirical case study research into the processes that one or more organisations use to manage the merger and acquisition process as a project. This research will contribute to the extension of project management into a new application domain, as mergers and acquisitions, although bearing many of the basic characteristics of projects, are rarely conceptualized this way.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Associate in Transformation Projects who demonstrates:

• a PhD in a relevant field specifically project management, governance, organization studies, or a related discipline with a strong track record (relative to opportunities) in research, including a body of work published in peer reviewed journals and conferences. Applicants who have submitted their PhD for examination or will do so in the immediate future can be considered
• experience in analysing qualitative data using case study, grounded theory, thematic analysis, or comparable approaches to code field data from multiple sources;
• ability to conduct research in a senior corporate and board level in written and verbal formats, and to sustain relationships to engage in research with them;
• capabilities in working both independently and as part of a team of researchers, to identify opportunities, and to contribute and lead to the development of papers for publication.
• outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills and the ability to conduct high quality research with increasing independence and to present that work in an engaging way.

Desirable criteria – you may have (or be willing to learn):

• ability to write research proposals, and to lead research papers
• knowledge of research on project studies and innovation management, particularly recent work on multi-level theorizing through concepts such as ecologies and ecosystems
• knowledge of work on project leadership and governance is also an advantage.

To apply for this role, please address the below statements in a cover letter that you attach to your application. Please also provide two names of referees in support of your application.

1. Ability to conduct high level research in a senior corporate environment (board level) and to work on project governance;

2. Prior experience of conducting qualitative research, e.g. of analysing qualitative data from the field.

Other

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is only available for this position for candidates who are currently located within Australia.

Closing date: 11:30pm 13 September 2021

Applications (including a cover letter, CV and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

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For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Rebecca Astar or Linden Joseph, Recruitment Consultants, Human Resources at  recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for
this role.

Closing Date: 13 September 2021