Part-time (0.4 FTE, 14 hours per week) position until end of May 2028. Located remotely, in the Hunter Valley Support the coordination, administration, and stakeholder engagement of the Just Transmissions research project. Base Salary $89,755- $100,495 p.a. (pro-rata) 17% superannuation About the opportunity The School of Geosciences and Sydney Environment Institute are welcoming applications for Research Assistant- Community Fellow. Working with leading interdisciplinary scholars, Prof Amanda Tattersall, Prof David Schlosberg, and Dr Lian Sinclair, the Community Fellow will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary team working on the research project ‘Just transmission: advancing coherence in Australia’s electricity policy’ (funded by the Australian Research Council, DP250103027). This project investigates how electricity transmission law, policy, and practices in Australia can be redesigned to advance a just and coherent energy transition. The imperative to shift to renewable sources of energy has become increasingly urgent as the impacts of climate change intensify and ageing coal-fired power plants retire. As part of a national comparative study, the Sydney University research team will codesign fieldwork methods with long-term partners in the Hunter Valley to understand community perceptions of, and backlash to renewable energy infrastructure. We will also develop expanded, critical concepts of energy justice with a focus on community capabilities and geography. Working under general supervision, the role engages with a diverse range of project stakeholders, working closely with a local community partner organisation, while effectively communicating project status. The Community Fellow will plan and prioritise their work to meet deadlines, make informed decisions within established frameworks, and resolve routine matters while assisting with more complex issues as required. Your key responsibilities will be to: be embedded within a community partner organisation in the Hunter region, building on existing relationships and working closely with local stakeholders on issues related to energy and environmental change work in close collaboration with the Postdoctoral Fellow and community partner organisation to co-design, organise, and conduct qualitative research activities collaborate with the broader research team across the University of Sydney, the University of Canberra, and Macquarie University as part of a national research project assist in organising meetings, conducting interviews, coordinating workshops, and supporting fieldwork activities (including listening tours) in the Hunter Valley and other locations support and coordinate community engagement events contribute to translating qualitative research findings into academic and community-facing outputs that meaningfully feed back into and support community needs undertake ad-hoc projects and other activities relevant to the role’s key accountabilities, as approved by the Manager and commensurate with the role’s classification level. 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 highly motivated Research Assistant- Community Fellow who will: hold a Bachelor’s degree in geography, sustainability, environmental social science, public policy, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience have experience engaging with diverse internal and external stakeholders in a project or community-based setting in the Hunter Valley region bring demonstrated experience in project administration, qualitative research and/or community organising in a relevant field or location demonstrate strong communication, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team be confident using computer applications including the Microsoft Office suite and online collaboration tools. Work Rights You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. Pre-employment checks 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. EEO statement At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Shubhi Dhaka, Recruitment Operations, Human Resources at recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Thursday 26 February 2026 11:59 PM