The University of Melbourne is seeking a new senior lecturer in mathematical physics — only women (cis or trans) need apply.
The University of Melbourne is seeking a new senior lecturer in mathematical physics — but only women (cis or trans) need apply.
The role, which pays up to $176,065 plus 17 per cent super for a total package of $206,000, calls for an applicant to “expand expertise in mathematics and statistics in a leading research intensive school … shape data-driven and foundational methods with real world impact [and] collaborate both within and across disciplines”.
“Join us to advance mathematics and statistics research, inspire students, and help grow a world-class academic community,” thejob listingposted on Tuesday reads.
“Investing in you — 17 per cent superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
“Only women (cis- or trans-) are eligible to apply as this position is exempt under the special measure provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).”
“Cis” means non-transgender, or biological women.
Special measures under Victorian law allow “people and organisations to treat people differently in specific situations if those people or organisations are taking action to address genuine equality for disadvantaged groups”, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) explains.
Special measures promote “substantive equality” for a group of people who have one or more protected attributes, including race, sex, gender identity or disability.
“Substantive equality means recognising that some groups have been disadvantaged by inequality and past discrimination,” theVEOHRC says.
“It means understanding that some groups may need special assistance to address that disadvantage, rather than simply being treated equally or the same in a formal sense.”
The School of Mathematics and Statistics says it is “committed to expanding both its expertise and its diversity at all academic levels”.
The university is addressing under-representation in academic roles. Picture: Facebook
“Recognising the under-representation in the academy, this position is open only to suitably qualified women (cis- or trans-) candidates,” the job description states.
Applicants ideally should hold a PhD or equivalent research higher degree in mathematics, statistics or a closely related discipline and be a published researcher.
The university also encourages “applicants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and non-traditional education backgrounds”.
“To allow us to consider performance relative to opportunity, we also invite applicants to provide a brief statement (up to one page) that describes circumstances that may have affected their career development or progression, including career interruptions or delays, periods of part time work, or forms of bias they have experienced,” the description states.
“The University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation. The University makes decisions on employment, promotion, and reward on the basis of merit.”
An ‘all-gender’ bathroom at the University of Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards
A University of Melbourne spokeswoman said in a statement, “The University of Melbourne is committed to increasing diversity and addressing the underrepresentation of women in disciplines where there has been a longstanding gender imbalance.
“This position has been advertised as a women only opportunity to promote substantive equality for groups that have historically been underrepresented.
“Women remain underrepresented in a number of STEM disciplines including some areas of mathematics and physics. This recruitment approach is intended to support greater representation and participation in those fields over time.
“Candidates appointed through these processes must meet the same academic and professional standards required for the role. The successful applicant will be selected on merit against the requirements of the role.”
In 2014, the University of Melbourne similarly advertised for women-only academic roles at its School of Engineering in a bid to increase women to 25 per cent of its workforce.
At the time, only 20 per cent of the School of Engineering’s 300 academic staff were female.
The university applied to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for an exemption under the Act to advertise up to 20 women-only roles.
VCAT was satisfied that the conduct met the requirements of a special measure and was substantiated by the evidence.
“Despite the applicant’s past efforts to increase its female academic workforce, its gender equity policies and the fact that it has been named as an employer of choice for women, progress has been slow and limited to date,” the tribunal said at the time.
“Taking into account the current low representation of women within MSE’s academic workforce, the slow increase in the numbers of women and the modest aim of increasing that representation to 25 per cent, I am satisfied that the purpose of the conduct is to promote substantive equality and that there is a need for assistance to be given to women seeking to work for and to develop a career with the MSE.
“I am also satisfied that the conduct is being undertaken in good faith, is reasonably likely to achieve its purpose and is proportionate.”
