UNSW
Senior Research Fellow - Social Science Specialist
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About the School
The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences is a large, collaborative and multi-disciplinary school in the Faculty of Science at the University of New South Wales with over 170 academic, research and professional staff. In 2025, the school obtained $22M in research funding, produced over 800 scientific publications and is frequently rated among the top schools across UNSW in student experience surveys. The School incorporates a broad range of disciplines, enabling comprehensive education and research in the broad fields of Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Geography, Climate Science, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Marine Science and Oceanography.
About The Role
Senior Research Fellow – Social Science Specialist in the Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) is expected to lead, with Director oversight, the research effort of the CSDR through identifying opportunities to integrate social and equity considerations across the research portfolio, while developing their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field. The CSDR team is made up of multi-disciplinary focussed researchers who are working on topics at the intersections of economics, politics, law, environmental management, data science and development.
The Senior Research Fellow leads the development of robust social accounting frameworks and works to understand how bespoke surveys, standardised data sets, advanced quantitative analysis, and qualitative data can inform government policy and decision making in the marine environment, while building capacity among national statistical offices and government agencies to implement these frameworks for developing an equitable and sustainable ocean economy. This role also works with coastal communities and governments to shape development planning through the application of frameworks such as social accounts which document livelihood dependencies, stewardship contributions, and traditional knowledge and make visible the importance of nature to people.
Level C ($155k - $178k) plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
Fixed Term – 2.5 years
Full-time (35 hours per week)
Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include
- Lead social science expertise as a senior team member and project leader in collaborative interdisciplinary research concerning topics: sustainable development of the ocean economy and ocean-based sectors, social accounting, sustainable development policy and practise partnerships with Pacific Islands countries and beyond, design of legislative and policy enabling frameworks for Beyond GDP development, sustainable development of natural capital and ecosystem services.
- Provide strategic leadership for the social accounting research program within CSDR, including setting methodological standards for the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership. Lead the design, testing, and refinement of social accounting methodologies for ocean accounts, including the development of indicators, data collection protocols, and analytical frameworks that can be adapted across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.
- Collaborate with colleagues across all relevant projects within the CSDR to support the broad spectrum of work being undertaken. This role will focus on the integration of social and equity considerations across the breadth of the research portfolio of the CSDR.
- Disseminate findings to create scholarly impact which is globally and locally recognised by peers through academic journal articles, conferences and presentations, and publicly accessible knowledge products that advance the utilisation of disciplinary knowledge.
- Represent the CSDR as a recognised expert in social accounting for ocean economies at national and international forums, serving on expert panels, advisory committees, and editorial boards.
- Make independent contributions to research that have a significant impact in their field of expertise and create a nationally recognised research track record.
- Undertake independent research in discipline or related area (as per the norms of the discipline), making an independent contribution through professional practice and expertise.
- Develop research groups in area of specialist expertise and research methods that are appropriate to the discipline, including developing independent research proposals which can include the growth of a team of social scientists working across the three pillars of the CSDR’s work.
- Responsible for a small group of researchers, with the ability to motivate and deliver through the team and be accountable for their performance.
- Contribute to the general growth of the CSDR through the development of government and donor relations; fundraising, grant application preparation and competitive funding applications under the guidance of senior colleagues. This will include participating as co-investigator or chief investigator in grant applications.
- Mentor and guide students, groups, and colleagues; supervise HDRs to timely completion as primary supervisor; and contribute to HDR review panels.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
- Ensure hazards and risks are identified and controlled for tasks, projects and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.
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About The Successful Applicant
To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have
- A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience in policy advisory positions including for government, consultancies, or in applied research.
- Demonstratable experience in one or more of the following areas;
- Societal and equity considerations as they relate to marine and coastal issues
- Design and delivery of bespoke surveys, preferably using survey software
- Social aspects of natural capital accounting and/or natural resource use
- Framework development experience in social accounting, natural capital accounting, or related systematic approaches to measuring societal outcomes
- Understanding of how to assess cultural and social capital
- Practical experience in participatory and co-design approaches for natural resource management
- Integration of qualitative local knowledge into traditional scientific systems
- The delivery of national surveys such as the Household Income and Expenditure Surveys
- Advanced quantitative analytical capabilities potentially including statistical modelling, econometric analysis, database design and management, and proficiency with analytical software (R, Python, STATA, or similar).
- Demonstrated track record in research and applied project leadership with outcomes of high quality and high impact, including evidence of successful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- Ability to independently lead a significant area of work with multiple stakeholders and partners. Demonstrated ability to lead teams and work in a team, collaborate across disciplines, manage complex project workflows.
- Established reputation with evidence of thought leadership in relevant areas, including keynote presentations and advisory roles with government agencies or international organizations and proven ability to also write for a policy audience.
- Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
- High level communication skills and ability to network effectively and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines, create innovative solutions to complex problems and build effective relationships.
- Evidence of highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Experience working in varied cultural contexts, interacting with government ministers and senior officials, and experience in training and workshop delivery are all highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in working in developing countries, preferably with coastal communities and/or natural resource management is highly desirable
- Evidence of an ability to raise funds from a range of sources to support their work and a wider team.
- 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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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:
Juliet Grimm
E: juliet.grimm@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: September 3rd, 2026
Find Out More About Working At UNSW At www.unsw.edu.au
UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity or Indigenous heritage. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria to apply.
UNSW partners with Australia’s leading diversity organisations, networks, and campaigns. Please refer to UNSW’s diversity offerings for further information on our flexible work and leave options, and support for carers (childcare, parent rooms, parental leave).
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