Job no: 544168
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Research Infrastructure
- 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
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
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 assists with experimentation and data collection in the behavioural neuroscience laboratory in the School of Psychology. The Research Assistant will support the research conducted specifically for an ARC funded Ideas grant.
About the role
- $84k - $89k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
- Fixed Term – 12 months
- Full time (35 hours)
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
- Under guidance, assist with the performance of stereotaxic surgery on rats for viral transduction.
- Conduct post-operative monitoring and maintenance of rats, escalating non-standard issues.
- Assist with behavioural testing of rats, including instrumental and Pavlovian conditioning studies.
- Using established procedures, perform cryosectioning of brain tissue, immunohistochemistry, bright field and fluorescence microscopy.
- Perform standard analysis of behavioural data.
- Maintain laboratory records.
- Attend research meetings and training sessions as required.
- Undertake other routine research support tasks consistent with established methodologies.
- 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)
- Completion of a degree (or currently undertaking a degree) in Psychology or a related field, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
- Experience in a behavioural neuroscience laboratory, obtained through work or study.
- Sound organisational skills including ability to prioritise tasks and duties in order to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
- Strong computer skills and previous experience with Microsoft Office Suite and SPSS
- 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: Kelly Clemens E: k.clemens@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: November 25th, 2026
Advertised: 11 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 25 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au