UNSW
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate - Psychology
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This Job is based in Australia
Research Associate / Senior Research Associate - Psychology
Job no: 540887
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Post Doctoral Research Associate, Senior Research Associate
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
The School of Psychology at UNSW is the leading Psychology school in Australia. It is located in the Faculty of Science and is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in research and teaching. It offers world class undergraduate psychology degrees, as well as postgraduate professional Masters training in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, an online Graduate Diploma program, and a PhD research program with over 120 students. 40 academic staff conduct experimental research in many areas of Psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, perception, learning, memory and cognition, as well as health, social, developmental, clinical and forensic psychology. UNSW Psychology is the only School in the southern hemisphere ranked in the top 30 by discipline in the THES, QS and ARWU rankings. The School has well equipped research and teaching facilities and attracts outstanding staff and students from Australia and overseas. UNSW is located 5 km from the centre of Sydney and is close to other research centres, teaching hospitals, transport, shopping, and beaches.
For further information about the school please visit www.psychology.unsw.edu.au
The Research Associate (Level A)/Senior Research Associate (Level B) is expected to contribute towards the research effort of UNSW and to develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research. This role is based in the School of Psychology and will support the academic activities undertaken at the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program.
This role will be actively involved in two specific projects – taking a lead role on one project and a supporting role on the other. These projects comprise (1) a longitudinal research study investigating the psychological and social mechanisms underlying refugee mental health, and how these differ across contexts (i.e., in Australia and Indonesia) and (2) a study investigating efficacy and effectiveness of a scalable skills-based intervention in improving wellbeing and functioning amongst people with refugee backgrounds. The role will also assist in research project administration and reporting, data analysis and actively contribute to research outputs and grant applications.
About The Role
LEVEL A - $113 - $121 / LEVEL B - $127k - $150k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
Fixed Term – Approx. 2 years (to 31 August 2028)
Full time (35 hours)
LEVEL A:
- Contribute independently or as a team member in conducting collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area and to enable research teams to create scholarly output.
- Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
- Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
- Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
- Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
- Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
- Develop and maintain well-organised, efficient systems of scheduling, communication, file organisation and documentation of both meetings and study procedures and train project staff in their use. Embed these systems into day-to-day research operations to ensure high quality, compliant, and consistent data collection.
- Coordinate multi-site research studies, including managing recruitment, screening, scheduling, tracking, and following up participants, and independently identifying and resolving issues surrounding participation rates.
- Coordinate project meetings and oversee the smooth running of research projects, ensuring adherence to study protocols and that project milestones and outcomes are met.
- Oversee translation and back-translation of measures into study languages.
- Engage with the Partner Organization and other stakeholders, including academic partners, non-government organizations and refugee-led organizations
- Deliver or support training in Problem Management-Plus to facilitators from refugee backgrounds
- Oversee administration of survey measures and/or assessments to study participants
- Oversee the implementation of experimental research sessions with study participants.
- Data management including coordinating and executing data cleaning, data management processes and ensuring research integrity in research databases.
- Assist with research duties related to the Refugee Trauma and Recovery Program at the School of Psychology, UNSW as required.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
- Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.
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LEVEL B:
(in addition to the above)
- Create scholarly impact in the discipline which is recognised by peers in the advancement of disciplinary knowledge.
- Contribute to the development of applications for competitive funding under the guidance of senior colleagues.
- Design and conduct research projects under limited supervision, either independently or as member of a collaborative team.
- Establish a personal research portfolio and start developing independent research proposals.
- Mentor and guide students and colleagues and develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs (as per the norms of the discipline).
About The Successful Applicant
(Selection Criteria)
LEVEL A:
- A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
- Excellent organisational skills, including an ability to undertake a range of diverse tasks, to work independently, accurately, and with attention to detail and to deliver high quality work on time.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and levels of seniority.
- Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
- Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
- Non-essential, but preferred: o Completed clinical training as a registered psychologist or clinical psychologist
- Demonstrated experience in working on longitudinal research studies and/or randomized controlled trials.
- Demonstrated experience in providing training in cognitive behavioural or similar therapeutic modalities.
- Demonstrated experience in recruiting and/or retaining participants into research studies. Demonstrated experience in working with people from refugee or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
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LEVEL B:
(in addition to the above)
- Demonstrated track record in research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence as well as the capacity for research leadership.
- A track record of significant involvement with the profession and/or industry.
- Demonstrated track record of ability to attract external research funding.
- Demonstrated track record of ability to oversee junior research staff and/or supervise students.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Angela Nickerson
E: a.nickerson@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: August 6th, 2026
Find Out More About Working At UNSW At Www.unsw.edu.au
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Position Description
Advertised: 10 Jul 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 06 Aug 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
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