Data Scientist - City Futures Research Centre
Data Scientist - City Futures Research Centre
Job no: 539288
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Business Development / Industry Engagement, Knowledge Exchange
- Remuneration Level 6: $103,866 - $110,801 + 17% Superannuation
- Location: Kensington, NSW (hybrid flexibility to work from home and on campus 3 days a week)
- Full Time (35-hour week)
- Fixed Term for 12 months
Why The Role Matters:
The Data Scientist contributes to applied quantitative analysis and machine learning workflows that support infrastructure systems research and urban analytics. The role focuses on working with large-scale, structured, and geospatial datasets to generate insights into infrastructure demand, capacity, performance, and spatial distribution.
This includes developing and maintaining data pipelines for high-volume infrastructure and spatial data, integrating multiple data sources, and supporting analytical modelling that informs infrastructure planning and policy. The position emphasises robust data engineering practices, reproducible analysis, and the application of statistical and machine learning methods to complex, real-world systems.
Working within an interdisciplinary research environment, the Data Scientist contributes to the development and refinement of analytical models, including predictive and spatial models, under the guidance of senior technical staff. The role supports translating quantitative outputs into meaningful insights for infrastructure decision-making.
Accountabilities:
- Apply quantitative and statistical analysis to assess infrastructure capacity, demand, utilisation, and spatial patterns.
- Develop and refine predictive and analytical models to support infrastructure and urban systems research.
- Work with large-scale structured and geospatial datasets, including querying and managing data in PostgreSQL/PostGIS environments.
- Design and maintain data pipelines for integrating and processing multi-source data.
- Monitor data quality and model outputs, identifying issues and improving analytical reliability.
- Document methodologies, data flows, and assumptions to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
- Collaborate with researchers and technical staff to align analytical work with research and policy objectives.
- Contribute to a flexible, project-based research environment under direction from senior staff.
Skills and Experience:
To be considered you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
- Tertiary qualification in a relevant quantitative discipline or equivalent experience.
- Experience applying statistical or machine learning methods in real-world contexts.
- Proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis and modelling.
- Strong SQL skills, including experience with spatial databases (e.g. PostgreSQL/PostGIS).
- Experience working with geospatial data and GIS tools or libraries.
- Ability to build and manage data workflows for large or complex datasets.
- Experience with reproducible coding practices, including version control (Git).
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to clearly document technical work for diverse audiences.
- Familiarity with NLP methods is advantageous but not required.
Pre-Employment Checks:
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:
- National and International Criminal history checks
- Entitlement to work and ID checks
- Working With Children Checks
- Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
- Verification of relevant qualifications
- Verification of relevant professional membership
- Employment history and reference checks
- Financial responsibility assessments/checks
- Medical Checks and Assessments
Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.
Benefits and Culture:
People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.
Our benefits include:
- Career development opportunities
- 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
- Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
- Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness) For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits
How to Apply:
Submit both a Cover Letter and CV online via the UNSW Job Board before Sunday 26th April 2026 by 11:30pm. Please ensure your Cover Letter addresses the Skills and Experience mentioned in the advert (no more than 1 page). Get in Touch: Any applications sent to the contacts below will not be accepted.
If you have questions about the role, please contact Alireza Shamakhy at a.shamakhy@unsw.edu.au
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Allyssar Hamoud at a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au
UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. 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.
Advertised: 13 Apr 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 26 Apr 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
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