Research Associate/Senior Research Associate - City Futures Research Centre

• Employment Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract, Full-Time
• Remuneration: Level A: $88,290 - $117,718 + 17% Super + Leave Loading
                             Level B $123,620 - $145,730 + 17% Super + Leave Loading
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus (Hybrid Working Opportunities)

About UNSW:
UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters:
City Futures Research Centre was established in 2005 to undertake research aiming to develop a better understanding of our cities, their people, the policies that manage their growth, the issues they face and the impact they can make on our environment and economy.

The Research Associate/ Senior Research Associate will play a key role in funded projects by collecting data, data wrangling, big data analytics and running artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. This role will involve employing state-of-the-art natural language processing techniques alongside expertise in large language models (LLMs) and Generative AI methods specifically tailored for geographic data across Australia. This role will collaborate with a dynamic team of data scientists, modelers and computer scientist to deliver a world class data driven city analytics toolkit for Australia.

The role reports to Centre Director and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities:
Level A –

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Collect, wrangle and process data from a variety of sources including open data repository, commercial and sensitive data made available to the MapAI Project.
• 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

Level B (in addition to the above) –

• Engage in individual and/or collaborative research in a manner consistent with disciplinary practice.
• Create scholarly impact in the discipline which is recognised by peers in the advancement of disciplinary knowledge.
• Conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision, either independently or as a member of a team (as per the norms of the discipline).
• Establish a personal research portfolio and start developing independent research proposals.
• Participate as co-investigator or chief investigator in competitive grant applications or show evidence of active participation in research collaborations funded by competitive grants.
• Design research projects.
• Mentor and guide students and colleagues and develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs (as per the norms of the discipline).

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Experience in applying artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, national language processing and sentiment analysis and other data mining techniques to big (ideally geospatial) data.
• Expertise/experience and strong theoretical knowledge foundation with Generative AI Models, platforms and frameworks.
• Advanced computer programming skills in particularly using languages to work with big data including languages such as, python and R.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.

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)

How to Apply: Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your CV and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the position in relation to the selection criteria (listed under the ‘skills and experience’ section above) via the application portal before 12 March at 11:30pm.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Please note, whilst LinkedIn may display this job in different locations, the role is based at UNSW Kensington (Sydney) and will require regular on-site presence.

Get in Touch: For queries regarding the recruitment process, contact Lucy Gerondis, Talent Acquisition Consultant, UNSW: l.gerondis@unsw.edu.au

Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply via the application portal.

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.