Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Western Sydney
Full-Time, Fixed term from February 2025 for 2 years
Location: Parramatta South Campus
About Western
Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led university, located in the heart of Australia’s fastest-growing, economically significant region. The University has 11 campuses in Sydney, as well as campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Surabaya, Indonesia, with plans for two campuses in India. With over 200,000 alumni, almost 50,000 students, and approximately 3,500 staff, the University promotes a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative culture focused on research and dedicated to student-centered excellence.
Our Schools teach an array of programs and degrees carefully structured to meet the demands of future industry. The University is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, with over 85% of its assessed research rated at ‘World Standard’ or above. In 2022, 2023, and 2024 the University was placed 1st worldwide and in Australia for its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.
About the Team
Western Sydney is commonly touted as “Australia’s fastest growing region,” “the nation’s third largest economy,” and an “electoral battleground.” The region has one of the most diverse cultural communities in the world and is also routinely characterised by socio-cultural and economic disadvantage.
Understanding this vibrant, complex region and the experiences of its people is critical to achieving meaningful engagement with the region and affecting real, solutions-orientated change.
The Centre for Western Sydney (CfWS) is Western Sydney University’s leading source authority on its region. The Centre is housed in the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Strategy, Government and Alliances. The CfWS undertakes high-quality research, evaluation and advocacy for—and with—the communities of Western Sydney. The Centre is focused on fulfilling a unique commitment in the Western Sydney University Act: to support the development of Western Sydney.
The Centre fulfils this commitment by:
- Regularly producing and disseminating research reports and issues papers, with a focus on the region’s economy, housing and infrastructure, environment, communities and culture, and overall wellbeing.
- Functioning as a public-facing, partnerships-based centre – offering rigorous research and evaluation services to its networks within the University, community, industry, and business organisations, and attracting external funding to support research on issues that matter to the region.
- Maintaining a focus on stakeholder engagement, outreach, and advocacy, where research outputs are shared with a broad network of community, industry, and government stakeholders, providing a platform to directly influence and inform policy.
About the Role
The Centre for Western Sydney is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be a core member of the research team and will work closely with Centre Director, Chief Economist and Centre Manager to deliver diverse research outputs, develop partnerships, and enhance and expand the profile and impact of the Centre and its work.
The Centre is looking for a recent doctoral graduate who is passionate about applied, community-led research with real-world impact; producing research for non-academic audiences; and working with government, industry, community and academic partners towards advancing the region of Western Sydney. The expertise of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow will contribute to producing high quality, place-based research and advocacy outputs to inform and influence evidence-driven policy making for the region. The Fellow’s engagement and stakeholder management skills will enhance the Centre’s collaboration with internal and external partners, and support opportunities for generating research income.
The successful candidate will support the Centre in delivering concurrent projects by undertaking traditional research activities such as undertaking social research, preparing literature reviews and ethics applications, analysing various sources of data, writing research reports and managing research project timelines and budgets. In addition, the successful candidate will support the strategic advocacy and partnership development work of the Centre through delivering presentations, preparing funding proposals, policy briefs and submissions, and supporting various advocacy activities. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will also work closely with the Impact and Evaluation Coordinator, leading the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities of the Centre as required.
This role provides the successful candidate with unique access to be part of an exciting and dynamic multi-sectoral advocacy network for Western Sydney. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will have the opportunity to attend a range of cross-sectoral events in the region and develop a strong network of strategic regional partners. The role therefore has a representational dimension, in accompanying the Director to represent the Centre in a range of internal and external settings.
As part of a small, dynamic and highly effective team, the successful candidate will enjoy a fast-paced environment, have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to exercise sound judgement in problem-solving and decision-making. To succeed in the role, you require strong attention to detail and time management, as well as a strategic and engaged approach to collaborative research projects. Working at the Centre provides diverse and varied opportunities, requiring the team to be adaptable and flexible in managing competing deadlines and concurrent projects.
The appointment is fixed term until December 2026. While the Centre will consider candidates with a PhD in any relevant discipline, candidates with expertise in issues that are of particular concern in Western Sydney would be highly valued. Of particular interest would be knowledge of issues of socio-economic disadvantage or inequity; cultural, linguistic and religious diversity and intersectionality; and liveability, including urban development, infrastructure, housing and wellbeing.
Benefits
Western Sydney University has long been identified as a University of the people. We value the contributions made by our staff and recognise that they underpin the enablement of our mission and values. In return, we offer:
- 17% super contributions
- Flexible work arrangements e.g. hybrid work-from-home options; purchased annual leave etc.
- Inclusive culture
- Professional development opportunities
- Access to a wide range of staff benefits, including Fitness Passport, salary sacrifice options for on-campus childcare, as well as other discounts and services.
Applicants should be aware that this role will be based at Parramatta South campus, however as Western Sydney University is a multi-campus university travel to other campuses may be required when operational needs arise.
If this sounds like an opportunity for you, please apply ensuring you carefully address each of the selection criteria in your application. Please review the position description for more information.
Remuneration Package: Academic Level B $139,458 to $164,559 p.a. (comprising Salary of $117,844 to $139,151 p.a., plus Superannuation and Leave Loading)
Position Enquiries: Please contact Danielle McInness, Centre Manager, via email d.mcinness@westernsydney.edu.au
Recruitment Enquiries: Specific enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to the Recruitment Team at recruitmentpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au
Closing Date: 8:30 pm on Sunday 17 November 2024
Immigration Sponsorship
Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
Note - Only those applications submitted via the WSU online recruitment system will be accepted.
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Western Sydney University is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged.
If you require assistance in using the System, please email recruitmentpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au or phone the Recruitment Helpline on (02) 9852 5422. Please note, we do not accept applications for roles to the recruitmentpartnerships@westernsydney.edu.au email.
