Senior Researcher

Senior Researcher (ECEC)

As a Senior Researcher, you will play a crucial role in conducting and synthesising research to provide education policymakers, schools and early childhood services with reliable and evidence-based advice.

• Offering a competitive base salary starting at $116,222 (commensurate with skills and experience) plus 12% superannuation
• Full time, temporary contract until 30 June 2026
• Flexible location, work from home (Australia-wide)

About The Organisation

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is Australia's national education evidence body. AERO is working towards excellent and equitable outcomes for all children and young people by generating and making high-quality evidence accessible and enhancing the use of evidence in Australian education.

AERO is bringing together people who are passionate about evidence-informed policy and practice for schools and early childhood services. Our team is collegial, creative and committed to fulfilling AERO's potential to make an impact. We value agile thinkers who can help shape AERO as a new, dynamic organisation, and team players who enjoy working across projects and in diverse, interdisciplinary teams. Many of our people have ongoing connections to research, policy and practice organisations, helping us to bridge the gap between evidence generation and translation.

For more information about AERO, please see

Purpose of the role

This role contributes to high-quality education research and policy analysis in Early Childhood Education and Care that aims to deliver high-impact findings that can be easily accessed, understood and implemented by education practitioners and policymakers.

Accountabilities:

• Contribute to and/or lead the scoping, planning and designing of education research projects aligned to AERO's annual research agenda.
• Undertake data collection and analysis independently on multiple education research projects using rigorous qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• Develop research products that support education practitioners working in schools and early childhood services to use more evidence-based practices.
• Plan for and engage in dissemination activities that maximise the impact of AERO research products on the Australian education community.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure research projects and products are high quality and high impact.
• Contribute strategic advice based on experience and expertise to the planning of AERO's annual research agenda and work plan.
• Lead the performance and professional development of team members, building a highly productive and collaborative team.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential requirements:

• Postgraduate research qualifications in education, social sciences, data science or another relevant discipline
• Experience in educational research

Key knowledge and experience:

• Experience in designing and undertaking evaluations, with expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, either analysing large, complex administrative or survey data sets or undertaking systematic literature reviews and/or systematic coding and analysis of interview or ethnographic data.
• Experience working in research teams to deliver complex, high-quality products under tight timelines and competing priorities.
• Experience as an educator or teacher in schools or early childhood education and care settings or strong knowledge of these contexts, including knowledge of the Australian education sector, including key stakeholders, policies and frameworks.

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences.

AERO welcomes applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

How to apply?

Please submit an online application:

• CV and a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the role addressing the skills and experience above.

• A brief (approx.150 words) response to the following question:

• Outline your experience in designing and undertaking research and evaluation including qualitative/and or qualitative research expertise.

Applications close

11.59pm Sunday, 2 November 2025 (Sydney, AEDT)

Notes

• Respectfully, no agencies please.
• Please only apply for this role if you are an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia.
• Appointments are subject to a National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) and having or obtaining a current valid working with children check (WWCC).
• If you require any additional information to above or have technical difficulties applying, please contact:
• Please do not send applications to this email address, apply through advert.