Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Regional Studies

Full time, 3 years Fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at The Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Exciting opportunity to contribute to a Laureate funded research project on ‘Regional Decarbonization Transitions: an inclusive, place-based approach’. Base Salary Level A/B $109,263 p.a. - $127,436 p.a. + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Regional Studies with qualitative / ethnographic research skills to join a dynamic research team exploring “Regional decarbonisation transitions: an inclusive, place-based approach”. The position will be funded by the Australian Research Council under Professor Chris Gibson’s Laureate Fellowship based in the Discipline of Urban and Regional Planning and Policy.

The position will support and advance the research agenda of the program’s “Local Capacities” sub-project, which broadly seeks to understand local impacts of decarbonisation on regional communities, workers and households. Themes could include changes to work and social life, community agency, perceptions of uncertain futures, as well as understanding local initiatives and other responses to structural change.

Applicants are asked to propose and submit a research project outline (1-page maximum) under this agenda that incorporates a significant ethnographic component aligned with their skills and interest. This proposal may relate to a specific Australian regional location (or set of locations) and/or specific sectors. Proposals may focus on local populations and community-level engagement or may lean more toward institutional or workplace ethnographic approaches. Applicants are encouraged to foreground their own expertise, industry knowledge and/or existing networks in the proposal.

This research will be developed and conducted in collaboration with others on the Laureate team and across the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP). The successful applicant will participate in academic activities across a wider network of researchers from the University of Sydney, including the Multi-Disciplinary Net Zero Initiative, the Sydney Environment Initiative and ADP’s Indigenous Knowledge Place. The successful applicants will be supported through funding for fieldwork across Australia and to attend conferences and will enjoy career and writing mentoring from Prof. Gibson as well as from members of the Laureate program’s international advisory board.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• work closely with Chief Investigator Professor Chris Gibson at the University of Sydney as well as other members of the Laureate program research team
• participate in the design of fieldwork and data gathering plans with Professor Gibson and other Laureate program team members, and conduct research to address the sub-projects’ aims
• interview research participants and conduct other appropriate ethnographic methods in regional case study locations, and other key stakeholders in relevant sectors
• contribute to and lead written outputs of the sub-projects
• develop relationships and grow collaborations in the field and with others across the University and beyond, related to the program and its sub-projects
• explore opportunities and assist in writing collaborative applications for related project funding, with grant application mentoring from Professor Gibson
• contribute to researcher training within the Laureate program by co-supervising HDR candidates, with supervisor mentoring from Professor Gibson.

About you

We are seeking an exemptional Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Regional Studies who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) degree in relevant area of research incorporating qualitative and/or ethnographic methods, with disciplinary training in geography, anthropology, development studies, or other cognate social sciences and humanities
• substantial experience working in a collaborative fashion with community stakeholders and organisations
• knowledge of regional Australia, the national decarbonisation agenda, and related academic and policy debates
• good organisation and project management skills
• experience in writing for academic and policy audiences.

Desirable:

• experience in conducting qualitative research in/on industrial settings
• existing networks with institutions, industries and communities relevant to the study.

The position level will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and knowledge assessed by the selection committee.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

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, including one-page research project outline CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

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 Helen Efstathiou, Recruitment Consultant, Recruitment Operations on +61 2 8627 7137 or by email helen.efstathiou@sydney.edu.au

Closing date for applications

11:59pm, 17 May 2026 (4 weeks)