"Research Assistant"

Job Description

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

The School of Psychology at UNSW is the leading Psychology school in Australia. It is located in the Faculty of Science and is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in research and teaching. It offers world class undergraduate psychology degrees, as well as postgraduate professional Masters training in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, an online Graduate Diploma program, and a PhD research program with over 120 students. 40 academic staff conduct experimental research in many areas of Psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, perception, learning, memory and cognition, as well as health, social, developmental, clinical and forensic psychology. UNSW Psychology is the only School in the southern hemisphere ranked in the top 30 by discipline in the THES, QS and ARWU rankings. The School has well equipped research and teaching facilities and attracts outstanding staff and students from Australia and overseas. UNSW is located 5 km from the centre of Sydney and is close to other research centres, teaching hospitals, transport, shopping, and beaches.

For further information about the school please visit www.psychology.unsw.edu.au

The Research Assistant is responsible for providing technical and research assistance for multiple research projects involving day-to-day laboratory tasks such as stereotaxic surgery, behavioural testing, histology and data analysis.

About the role

• $88k - $100k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 12 months
• Full time (35 hours)

The role reports to Lecturer Joanna Yau and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Undertake a range of unsupervised research support tasks consistent with established methodologies.
• Exercise technical skill and knowledge of standard procedures to perform data collection, entry, analysis and visualisation in preparation for manuscripts and reports.
• Respond to routine enquiries relating to research.
• Monitor research protocols, provide problem solving and resolution to any evolving problems related to design, implementation and analysis, escalating to senior researchers as required.
• Attend research meetings and training sessions as required.
• Assist with stereotaxic surgery and post-operative animal care and monitoring.
• Assist with daily behavioural testing and data collection involving optogenetics, chemogenetics and calcium imaging.
• Assist with post-behavioural data collection including transcardiac perfusions, immunohistology, and microscopy.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant (Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A university degree (with Honours) in Psychology, Neuroscience or a related field, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training or experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting a research project and/or knowledge of research protocols.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaborative and co-operatively within a team but also take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact: Joanna Yau E: joanna.yau@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: October 29th, 2025