Research Assistant (12 months & contracted through 3rd party)

Overview:

RMIT is committed to the rights of students and staff to be safe, respected, valued, and treated as an equal in their place of study and work.  All staff are expected to share this commitment and contribute to a safer community. While carrying out their role, staff are in a position of trust with students.  Staff have a duty of care to report wellbeing concerns about students through the designated channels and uphold to the code of conduct. RMIT Vietnam expects all staff members to comply with its Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, which relate to legal and regulatory requirements and our ways of working.

Why RMIT University Vietnam?

RMIT Vietnam is committed to excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. We welcome applications from qualified and passionate individuals who share our values and vision. RMIT University has a global reputation and ranks 140th globally and 11th in Australia in QS World University Rankings 2024. To learn more about our rankings, please check out our latest facts and figures here Reputation and rankings - RMIT University

RMIT Vietnam has been honoured with the respectable HR Asia Award as Top Employer To Work For in Asia. To find out more about RMIT Vietnam and our current vacancies, please visit our website: https://www.rmit.edu.vn/careers

Your role

This research assistant position supports the Planetary Civics Inquiries (PCI) at the School of Communication & Design (SCD), RMIT Vietnam. Embedded in the PCI @ RMIT VN Circle, the focus of the role is to identify, map, and analyse regenerative and planetary civic initiatives embedded in the school’s research and impact portfolio. Using qualitative coding, thematic analysis, and framework synthesis, the role will contribute to a knowledge mapping exercise that informs strategic alignment between regenerative initiatives in SCD and the broader planetary civic research agenda of the university. The circle initiatives span a diverse range of interdisciplinary activities, including the development of a design research studio, an educational hub, innovative locative mapping, exploration of future material, and the production and curation of digital art projects.

Report to: Deputy Dean, Research & Innovation

Key Accountabilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of a PCI research mapping framework linking SCD initiatives to regenerative and planetary civic agendas.

• Support data collection, literature reviews, fieldwork, interviews, and basic analysis for PCI projects.

• Contribute to the planning, design, and execution of research activities related to the circle.

• Maintain accurate documentation of research processes, findings, and stakeholder engagements.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including local communities, academic partners, and industry professionals in Vietnam and beyond.

• Participate in periodic meetings (online and offline) with the research team.

• Contribute to the development of research reports, grant proposals, and academic outputs aligned with the PCI themes.

• Support event coordination including workshops, roundtables, and seminars that advance planetary regeneration discourses.

• Manage communication and documentation between project teams and the wider PCI Circle.

• Ensure compliance with ethical standards and research protocols, including data protection and cultural sensitivity.

• Support the preparation of visual and written materials for publication, exhibition, or presentation.

• Undertake tasks on campus or in the field as required, ensuring project timelines and deliverables are met.

Key Selection Criteria

• University undergraduate/ postgraduate degree in the communication and design, environmental studies, digital humanities or other relevant disciplines.

• Minimum of three years of experience in research or equivalent, preferably in interdisciplinary, sustainability-focused contexts.

• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, including literature review, data collection, and analysis.

• Strong ability to synthesize findings and contribute to the development of research proposals, reports, and publications.

• Proven skills in stakeholder engagement and collaboration across academic, community, or industry settings.

• High-level written and verbal communication skills in English, with working proficiency in Vietnamese for local engagement.

• Proficiency in relevant software tools for research documentation, data analysis, or visual presentation (e.g. NVivo, Excel, Miro, Adobe).

• Ability to review and curate visual or creative materials, with sensitivity to cultural and copyright considerations.

• Experience organizing or supporting research-related events such as exhibitions, talks, or workshops.

• Demonstrated capacity for independent work while maintaining strong team collaboration.

• Understanding of regenerative design and ability to relate global sustainability issues to local knowledge systems.

• Willingness and ability to travel and participate in on-site evidence collection, interviews, and events.

Other Information

• Contract duration: 12 months

• Highly competitive gross salary

• Annual leave: 1 day per working month

• Accident Insurance 24/7

• Free use of onsite sports and fitness facilities

• Library on campus and online - access to the RMIT Australia online library

English Proficiency

English is the language of teaching and communication at RMIT Vietnam. For this role, the minimum requirement is IELTS General 6.0 (or equivalent Linguaskill 160). 

To be eligible for this position you must be a Vietnamese citizen.  Applications received from non-Vietnamese candidates will not be considered.

To Apply

Please submit your CV, cover letter, qualifications, ID, and address your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link below.

Important Notice

• Please ensure your application is submitted through our Workday system on the RMIT Careers page. We do not accept applications through other means. 

• RMIT Vietnam will never request any fees or payments during the application process. Be vigilant about scams asking for payment to apply. 

• For any questions or support, feel free to reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at employment@rmit.edu.vn 

Applications Close:

RMIT University Vietnam (RMIT Vietnam) is a campus of RMIT University. RMIT Vietnam is creating an innovative research, teaching and learning culture. We are committed to providing internationally recognised high-quality education and professional training for our students, clients and members of the community.  As an internationally recognised Australian university based in Asia, RMIT Vietnam is assisting in the development of human resources capability in Vietnam and the region.

https://www.rmit.edu.vn/about-us