National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute at Deakin University
The NIKERI Institute has several opportunities to join. 
Professor* in Indigenous Research
Associate Professor* in Indigenous Health and Community Context
Senior Lecturer in Nursing
Lecturer* in Indigenous Knowledges (two positions)
Institute Manager (HEW 8) – FILLED
Partnerships Coordinator (HEW 6)
Student Learning Coordinator (HEW 6) – FILLED
The academic levels marked with an asterisk (*) are indicative only and other ranks will be considered. All positions are permanent and ongoing.
All vacant positions are identified positions. In line with special measure provisions in Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act (2010) the University will only accept applications to identified positions from people who identify as Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The professorial roles will also be part of the Deakin Faculty of Arts and Education interdisciplinary Health and Wellbeing research specialisation, and will collaborate with other new members to build innovative research in this area. The right candidates will bring experience and insight into interdisciplinary research and teaching and have aims to shape and impact lived experiences and the health and wellbeing of people, places, and planet. In addition, candidates should have ideas and passion to strengthen and grow collaborations with industry, government, and community; including partnership opportunities. See more about the new Deakin Arts and Education world-class team in Health and Wellbeing here.
To learn more, and to apply
To learn more about these opportunities to join NIKERI Institute,
and for a confidential discussion, get in touch with Dr Rosalind De Sailly at De Sailly Search NIKERI@desailly.com.au
About NIKERI Institute
The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute (previously named the Institute of Koorie Education) is a leader in Indigenous higher education and research. Over more than 30 years at Deakin, the Institute has graduated more then 1000 students, and developed a national footprint inclusive of all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and has been growing Indigenous Knowledges and in its commitment to Indigenous research.
What does the N stand for in NIKERI?
Posted by Deakin University – Nikeri Institute on Monday, February 24, 2020
Community Based Delivery (CBD)
For more than three decades, NIKERI Institute courses have been adapted for Community Based Delivery (CBD), to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the flexibility to access higher education while maintaining their family, work and community commitments, regardless of where they live in Australia. NIKERI’s Dreamtime Award-winning, student-led education programs provide a combination of online teaching and on campus intensives, in a culturally safe learning environment. NIKERI Institute offers qualifications in education, law, nursing, social work, arts, research, public health and land and sea country management. The full list of course offerings is here and more about studying at NIKERI is here
Alongside the delivery of CBD programs, the Institute also delivers Indigenous Studies units into a series of undergraduate degrees for Deakin-wide students.
More about Indigenous Knowledges at Deakin
Sandpit installation by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta Sovereign Threads for Deakin Art Gallery ®Polo-Jimenez-2021
A number of academics at Deakin are working in Indigenous Research and Knowledge, including
- Professor Gabrielle Fletcher
- Professor Richard Frankland
- Dr Jessamy Gleeson
- Dr Jason Gibson
- Jefa Greenaway
- Melinda Hinkson
- Professor Emma Kowal
- Dr Timothy Neale
- Alison Page
- Professor Yin Paradies
- Jodie Satour
- Professor Gaye Sculthorpe
- Dr Tyson Yunkaporta
- Dr John Davis
- Dr Chels Marshall
Some insights into their work are included here.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab
Launched in 2021, Deakin’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab (IK Systems Lab) is still a seed. It aims to collaborate with leading thinkers and innovators from across Deakin and the wider community on potential applications of Indigenous Knowledges towards resolving some of our world’s most complex crises.
In this video, Dr Tyson Yunkaporta talks about IK Systems Lab, and donor Paul Kearney shares why Kearney Group is supporting the initiative.
Collecting at the Crossroads
Deakin academic Dr Jason Gibson leads Collecting at the Crossroads, a project that re-engages with a remarkable ethnographic archive – including Australian Western Desert Aboriginal artworks, objects, photographs and manuscripts – to examine the context and contemporary significance for a range of communities. The project works with Aboriginal cultural experts to seek an intercultural understanding of the trove.
Deakin’s commitment
Deakin campuses are built on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung people of the Geelong region, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the greater Naarm/Melbourne region, and the Gunditjmara people of the Warrnambool region.
Learn more about the University’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Artwork “Cultural Tree of Knowledge” by Dr Deanne Gilson, a Wadawurrung woman and NIKERI Institute alumnus.
