Research Associate - Psychology

Research Associate - Psychology

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Job no: 539535
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Post Doctoral Research Associate

• 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 Associate (Level A) is expected to contribute towards the research effort of UNSW and to develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

About the role

• $113k - $121k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years, with possibility of extension to 3 years
• Full time (35 hours)

The role reports to Dr. Kelly Grace Garner, is in collaboration with Prof Mike Le Pelley & Dr. Daniel Pearson and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• 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 health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)

• A PhD in psychology, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research, particularly in cognitive psychology/neuroscience, and ideally in the areas of visual attention, decision-making, and learning.
• Demonstrated experience in neuroimaging (particularly electroencephalography, EEG), and/or computational modelling of brain/behaviour.
• Demonstrated capability with programming languages, including programming experiments and analysis pipelines.
• Demonstrated experience in handling of large datasets and multivariate analysis or machine learning techniques.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Knowledge of open-science practices such as pre-registration, collaborative coding, and data-sharing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety 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 Grace Garner E: kelly.grace.garner@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: May 13th, 2026

Position Description