Job Description
* Full-time, Fixed Term role until 20th November 2026 (Maternity Leave) at HEW Level 7
* Parramatta South campus, with flexible working options
* Salary: $103,304 to $115,142 per annum, plus 17% Superannuation and Leave Loading
* Valid NSW Employee Working with Children Clearance required
Lead meaningful research that supports evidence-driven outcomes for young people.
The Opportunity
The Young and Resilient Research Centre brings together interdisciplinary expertise to understand and strengthen the resilience of children and young people. As the Senior Research Officer, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating and delivering research activities that advance the Centre’s mission and contribute to high-quality, evidence-informed outcomes.
Working under broad direction, you will design and conduct research using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, manage ethics and compliance requirements, and lead the development of research documentation and reporting. You will contribute to the development of publications, literature reviews, industry reports, and other research outputs that underpin the Centre’s impact.
You will also manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating timelines, monitoring budgets, preparing funding applications, and providing advice to support strategic research planning. Your strong stakeholder engagement skills will allow you to maintain productive partnerships with academics, government, industry and community organisations, while also supporting and supervising research staff to ensure successful project delivery.
What Success Looks Like
* High-quality research design, data collection, analysis and fieldwork aligned with project requirements.
* Timely preparation of ethics applications, literature reviews, reports and publications.
* Effective management of project budgets, records, timelines and deliverables.
* Productive internal and external relationships that support collaboration and research impact.
* Successful supervision and coordination of research support staff.
Please refer to the Position Description for full details.
About You
* Degree in a relevant Humanities or Social Sciences discipline, or equivalent experience in research settings.
* Demonstrated expertise in participatory research methods with children and young people.
* Proven ability to develop funding applications, manage multiple projects and coordinate budgets.
* Strong analytical, planning and organisational skills with experience in developing research systems and processes.
* Advanced written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate and engage with diverse stakeholders.
* You hold a current NSW Working With Children Check.
Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Beyond a rewarding career, we offer a suite of benefits designed to support your physical, financial, and family wellbeing:
* Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state.
* Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
* Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
* Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.
Application Details
* Position Enquiries: Direct to Lilly Moody, Centre Manager, Young and Resilient Research Centre via *******@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1066E in your email.
* Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 11th March 2026.
* Working with Children Check: It is a mandatory requirement for any incumbent of this position to have a current NSW Employee Working with Children Clearance in accordance with the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
* Working Rights: You must provide evidence of your working rights in Australia at time of application.
* How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered.
Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
For reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact ***************@westernsydney.edu.au.
About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.
Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.
For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.
Additional Information
All ongoing and fixed term employees seeking to apply for this position as a secondment must have completed a minimum of 12 months’ full-time continuous service to be eligible to apply for this role, as per Part D of the Recruitment and Selection Policy.