"Senior Research Associate"

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

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 Senior Research Associate is expected to contribute to the research team working on an ARC Discovery Project investigating the role(s) of long non-coding RNAs in cognition and intelligence awarded to A/Prof Kelly Clemens (School of Psychology) and Prof John Mattick (School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences). This role leads the day-to-day administration of the project and is required to have expertise in behavioural neuroscience and molecular biology. The Senior Research Associate is also expected to develop related but independent research proposals and grant applications.

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About the role

• $127k - $150k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 21 months (to December 31, 2027)
• Full time (35 hours)

The role reports Associate Professor Kelly Clemens has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Engage in individual and/or collaborative research in a manner consistent with the objectives of the ARC grant.
• Create scholarly impact in the discipline which is recognised by peers in the advancement of disciplinary knowledge.
• Lead the research project under limited supervision, either independently or as a member of a team, including design of individual research projects
• Establish a personal research portfolio and start developing independent research proposals.
• Contribute to the development of applications for competitive funding under the guidance of senior colleagues.
• Mentor and guide students and colleagues and develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs.
• Conduct advanced statistical analyses using appropriate methodologies.
• Draft high-quality manuscripts for peer reviewed journals.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.
• 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)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline (required).
• Demonstrated experience in some, but not necessarily all, behavioural neuroscience techniques
  • Rodent stereotaxic surgery using viral techniques
  • Rodent cognitive behavioural testing (experience with touchscreens and cognitive testing would be an advantage)
  • Rodent optical neuroscience procedures and data management (i.e. fiber photometry)
  • Automated/semi-automated machine learning analyses of rodent behavioural data (e.g. DeepLabCut, SimBA)
• Demonstrated experience in some, but not necessarily all, molecular biology and imaging techniques:
  • core molecular biology approaches (e.g. DNA/RNA/Protein extractions, qPCR, Western Blotting, RNA-sequencing, Mass-Spec)
  • In vivo and in vitro RNA knockdown techniques (e.g. CRISPRi, CRISPR/Cas13, ASOs, siRNAs).
  • advanced molecular imaging (e.g. RNAScope, MERSCOPE)
• Excellent data management skills, with demonstrated experience in bioinformatics and/or advanced statistical analyses (e.g. Python/R, Linux environment)
• Evidence of capacity to problem-solve and troubleshoot independently, with a solutions-focused approach to research processes and procedures
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated track record in research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence as well as the capacity for research leadership.
• A track record of significant involvement with the profession and/or industry.
• High level communication skills and ability to network effectively and interact with a diverse range of students and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills.
• 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 Clemens E: k.clemens@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: March 8th, 2026

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au