Research Officer – UNSW Innovation Hub

Research Officer – UNSW Innovation Hub

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Job no: 539477
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Research Infrastructure

• Remuneration Level 6: $103,866 - $110,801 + 17% Superannuation
• Location: Paddington, NSW (the successful candidate will be required to work on campus a minimum of 3 days per week)
• Full Time (35-hour week)
• Fixed Term to December 2027

Why The Role Matters:

The UNSW Innovation Hub enables innovation across the University by designing and advancing new methods and ways of working that support cross-disciplinary collaboration. By bringing together academics, professional staff, and students, the Hub creates impactful opportunities to develop and scale innovative projects within UNSW and in partnership with industry, government, and community stakeholders. Aligned with the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, the Hub plays a central role in building innovation capability through new programs, collaborations, systems, technologies and processes.

As a key contributor to UNSW’s innovation ecosystem, the Innovation Hub fosters a culture of design-led problem solving, experimentation, and strategic collaboration. The position will provide technical, research and administrative support to the Innovation Hub Director and broader Hub team across a diverse portfolio of projects. Working within a dynamic, collaborative environment, the position applies design-led innovation approaches, including design thinking and co-design methodologies, to support research and delivery outcomes. The role reports to the Director, UNSW Innovation Hub and has no direct reports.

Accountabilities:

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Accountabilities)

• Provision of practical and efficient research support to the Hub Director and team members, assisting in the conduct of research that contributes to a better understanding of design-led problem-solving methodologies and practices.
• Support in the conceptualisation, design, and dissemination of design-led, problem-solving projects, programs and initiatives which contribute to the development of innovative outcomes for stakeholders.
• Prepare and contribute to the production of project outputs, developing manuscripts for publication, technical reports and tenders or grants for external funding.
• Manage the technical aspects of databases, including coordinating and executing data cleaning, data management processes and ensuring data quality and integrity across research and project activities.
• Perform quantitative/qualitative data analyses as required by Innovation Hub projects, including analysis of evaluation and feedback data.
• Proactively support the drafting and development of journal articles, peer-reviewed publications, project and progress reports, presentations, ethics applications, project briefs, workshop materials, design artefacts and stakeholder-facing outputs.
• Monitor research protocols, provide problem solving and resolution to any evolving problems related to design, implementation and analysis.
• Liaise with organisations, data custodians, stakeholders and collaborators and actively participate in meetings and discussions as required.
• Coordinate, plan and complete day-to-day written research and project activities within the framework of agreed project timelines and responsibilities.
• Support the coordination and delivery of workshops, co-design sessions and stakeholder engagement activities aligned with Innovation Hub projects.

Skills and Experience:

To be considered you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Skills and Experience)

• A university degree in design, or related discipline with subsequent relevant experience, or equivalent competence gained through a combination of education, training and professional practice.
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake research in design-led innovation contexts, including proficiency in literature reviews, supporting the development of journal articles and ethics applications and writing and synthesising insights from qualitative and/or quantitative sources, such as evaluation and survey data.
• Experience supporting research or innovation projects, including experience in academic writing and exposure to design-led methodologies such as design thinking, co-design or participatory methods.
• Knowledge of research protocols, design methodologies and project planning in developing Innovation Hub projects, contributing to journal articles and reporting against milestones.
• Experience working with a range of digital collaboration and research tools, such as Miro, Qualtrics and AI-enabled environments and similar qualitative and quantitative analysis tools, with the ability to rapidly adapt to evolving tools and platforms.
• Experience in supporting the design and delivery of workshops, including planning, coordination and supporting collaborative group activities.
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal and written communication skills to initiate and maintain effective stakeholder relationships whilst exercising discretion and confidentiality.
• 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.
• Excellent professional written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders.

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 3rd May2026 by 11:30pm. Please ensure your Cover Letter addresses the core Skills and Experience mentioned in the advert (no more than 2 pages).

Get in Touch: Any applications sent to the contacts below will not be accepted.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Carly Vickers at c.vickers@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.

Position Description

Advertised: 20 Apr 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 03 May 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time