Research Assistant

 

Job No: 666172

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Casual

Duration: 16-weeks with potential for a short extension

Remuneration: Casual Academic Research Assistant rates apply

The Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) has an exciting opportunity to join the MSDI Research team as a casual Research Assistant (RA).

A casual Research Assistant (no doctoral degree required) is sought to provide assistance for a day a week to support on activities such as the undertaking of literature reviews and development of case studies to inform development of the larger project.

The RA may also be required to support logistical engagement and follow-up activities to raise the profile of the research. Such activities may include surveys, interviews, and focus group workshops, and necessitate recruitment of public servants and other potential collaborators to the research.

In particular, the RA will undertake, with support from the Chief Investigator/Dr Bolton, a review of the literature to help establish a base-line classification scheme of current and emerging uses of AI for sustainable development policy challenges. Developing such a scheme will require both:

Key things to be considered when undertaking the literature review could include, but are not limited to:

You will have the ability to:

Note: It is okay if you are still developing skills in some of the above areas.

This work is in support of a proposed larger project investigating the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve public decision-making for sustainable development.

System leverage point theory suggests altering information flows, e.g. via use of AI, will enable the disruption of reinforcing feedback loops currently leading to unsustainable public outcomes (Meadows 1999, Bolton 2022).

As such, the broader project asks: How can the application of Al alter information flows within public decision-making systems to address reinforcing feedback loops that inhibit governance for sustainable development transformations?

To answer that question, the broader project will develop an AI-policy decision support system (DSS) which enables decision-makers to appraise the value of employing differing AI technologies to tackle common public decision issues that lead to unsustainable public outcomes.

At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something groundbreaking – a place where great things happen.

We value difference and diversity, and welcome and celebrate everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. That’s why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.

Learn more about Monash.

Whilst this role is worked on-site, we have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments more easily. Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. This includes supporting parents.

For instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.

Enquiries: Dr Mitzi Bolton, Research Fellow, +61 3 9905 8890

Applications Close: Sunday 23 June 2024, 11:55pm AEST

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