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• Employment Type: Continuing, Full-Time (35-hour week)
• Remuneration Level 6: $100,354 - $107,054 + 17% Superannuation.  
• Location: Kensington, NSW
  
  

Why The Role Matters:

The Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) established by the UNSW Faculty of Law and Justice in 2022, aims to connect knowledge and people to make small steps towards big changes. It creates safe spaces for changemakers—from government, business, and wider society—to plan pragmatic action for a sustainable low-carbon future informed by knowledge and insights from across the world. The CSDR builds on diverse research, education, and knowledge exchange partnerships aligned with global sustainable development commitments to drive forward the implementation of innovative and transformative workstreams. Currently active in over 20 countries, the CSDR works closely with decision-makers across government, international institutions, local communities, and the private and non-private sectors to create new approaches to decision making as well as bold and intelligent reforms.

The Research Officer is a key contributor to the development of the SDR Hub’s work on environmental law reform in Australia and the region. The position will provide proactive research assistance to senior research staff. The SDR Hub Research Officer works closely with the SDR Hub project teams under the guidance of the SDR Hub Directors. The Research Officer reports to the SDR Hub Manager and has no direct reports.

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 tertiary level degree, preferably with a specialisation in environmental or international environmental law and/or relevant work experience.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to support high quality academic research and conduct independent research with supervision.
• Knowledge of research protocols and ability to report against research milestones.
• Demonstrated experience in, or interest in, markets-based approaches, regulatory reform and the policy-law interface.
• Evidence of an ability to translate research into knowledge products for end users or decisionmakers.
• 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.
  
  

Accountabilities: 

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

• Conduct research on domestic and international climate and environmental governance.
• Contribute to reports, publications and presentations that enhance the scholarly output of the research area.
• Respond to non-standard or complex enquiries relating to the research study and escalate where necessary.
• Perform analysis on environmental policies and legislation
• Prepare responses to consultation drafts of policies and papers in collaboration with CSDR leadership team
• Develop initial responses to opportunities for the CSDR leadership team to contribute to reform agenda
• Contribute to research and policy paper production in collaboration with colleagues from outside UNSW via CSDR partnerships
• Coordinate, plan and support the organisation of events with external partners, including workshops, webinars and dialogues.
• Draft blogs and opinion pieces.
• Supervise other Research Assistants if required.

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:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• 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 Thursday 6^th February 2025. Please ensure your cover letter addresses the selection criteria for this position (no more than 1-2 pages).

Get in Touch:

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Hannah Sheridan at h.sheridan@unsw.edu.au

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Allyssar Hamoud at a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au

Please note, any applications sent to the contacts above will not be accepted.

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.