Research Officer

• Fixed Term, 10 months, part time (2 days per week) position. Located at Camperdown Campus and Western Sydney
• Opportunity to provide Research support for community-led public policymaking activities in Western Sydney
• Base Salary $ 89,755 - $ 100,495 (HEO5) pro rata + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney Policy Lab at The University of Sydney brings people together from different backgrounds to tackle complex social challenges through collaboration and research-driven solutions.

We are seeking a Research Officer to support the Lab's work with communities in Western Sydney to bring together diverse experiences and perspectives in order to foster social connection, inclusion and constructive dialogue. This program aims to provide insights and strategies that can inform broader community-led public policymaking activities across NSW.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• support the delivery of research and engagement activities, including working closely with project team and external stakeholders to identify and scope key issues
• conduct academic and grey literature reviews including analysis and interpretation
• oversee the consolidation, analysis and interpretation of data/information and communicates this in clear and compelling ways
• write briefs and updates for key stakeholders, as well as publicly-facing reports, presentations and other communications materials
• develop and maintain effective relationships with community and government stakeholders, ensuring shared understanding of project goals
• undertake appropriate research procedures and data integrity in accordance with relevant protocols
• support a team culture of collaboration, learning and inquiry.

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 Research Officer who has:

• interest or experience working on transformative social initiatives
• demonstrated experience in research administration and data management
• advanced written communication skills, including writing for multiple audiences and platforms
• proven ability to analyse, synthesize, and present complex data and research findings using plain English
• experience managing research documentation, publications, and compliance requirements
• ability to provide research direction by staying updated on methodologies and compliance standards
• ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving matters that may arise as part of normal daily work
• willingness to work flexibly as required for collaboration with community and partners.

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.

Please ensure you address the following questions in your Cover Letter:

• What motivates you to apply for this position, and what aspects of the role particularly interest you
• What experience do you have writing for non-academic audiences (for example public-facing reports, project briefs) or on different platforms (social media, blogs etc)

For employees of the University or contingent workers, 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 any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Turle, Recruitment Operations by email to

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

Tuesday 23 September :59 PM