Senior Research Fellow - Social Science Specialist

One of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, UNSW offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community and inclusion. The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences is a large, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary school in the Faculty of Science, with over 170 academic, research, and professional staff. In 2025, the school secured $22M in research funding and produced over 800 scientific publications, frequently rated among the top schools at UNSW in student experience surveys. The school encompasses disciplines such as Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Geography, Climate Science, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Marine Science, and Oceanography.

About the role

The Senior Research Fellow – Social Science Specialist in the Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) will lead, with Director oversight, the research efforts of the CSDR. This includes identifying opportunities to integrate social and equity considerations across the research portfolio while developing expertise in projects relevant to their field. The CSDR team comprises multidisciplinary researchers working at the intersections of economics, politics, law, environmental management, data science, and development.

This role leads the development of robust social accounting frameworks and explores how bespoke surveys, standardized datasets, advanced quantitative analysis, and qualitative data can inform government policy and decision-making in the marine environment. The position also focuses on building capacity among national statistical offices and government agencies to implement these frameworks for an equitable and sustainable ocean economy. Additionally, the role collaborates with coastal communities and governments to shape development planning using frameworks such as social accounts, documenting livelihood dependencies, stewardship contributions, and traditional knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead social science expertise as a senior team member and project leader in collaborative interdisciplinary research on topics such as sustainable development of the ocean economy, social accounting, sustainable development policy, partnerships with Pacific Islands countries, design of legislative and policy frameworks for Beyond GDP development, and sustainable development of natural capital and ecosystem services.
• Provide strategic leadership for the social accounting research program within CSDR, including setting methodological standards for the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership.
• Lead the design, testing, and refinement of social accounting methodologies for ocean accounts, including developing indicators, data collection protocols, and analytical frameworks adaptable across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across all relevant CSDR projects to integrate social and equity considerations across the research portfolio.
• Disseminate findings to create scholarly impact through academic journal articles, conferences, presentations, and publicly accessible knowledge products.
• Represent CSDR as a recognized expert in social accounting for ocean economies at national and international forums, serving on expert panels, advisory committees, and editorial boards.
• Make independent contributions to research with significant impact in the field, building a nationally recognized research track record.
• Undertake independent research in the discipline or related areas, contributing through professional practice and expertise.
• Develop research groups in areas of specialist expertise and research methods, including independent research proposals and growing a team of social scientists across the CSDR’s three pillars.
• Manage and motivate a small group of researchers, ensuring accountability for their performance.
• Contribute to the growth of CSDR through government and donor relations, fundraising, grant application preparation, and competitive funding applications as co-investigator or chief investigator.
• Mentor and guide students, groups, and colleagues; supervise HDRs to timely completion as primary supervisor; and contribute to HDR review panels.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Code of Conduct and Values.
• Identify and control hazards and risks for tasks, projects, and activities posing health and safety risks within your area of responsibility.

Requirements

• PhD in a related discipline and/or relevant work experience in policy advisory positions for government, consultancies, or applied research.
• Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Societal and equity considerations related to marine and coastal issues.
  • Design and delivery of bespoke surveys, preferably using survey software.
  • Social aspects of natural capital accounting and/or natural resource use.
  • Framework development in social accounting, natural capital accounting, or related systematic approaches to measuring societal outcomes.
  • Assessment of cultural and social capital.
  • Participatory and co-design approaches for natural resource management.
  • Integration of qualitative local knowledge into traditional scientific systems.
  • Delivery of national surveys such as Household Income and Expenditure Surveys.
  • Advanced quantitative analytical capabilities, including statistical modelling, econometric analysis, database design and management, and proficiency with analytical software (R, Python, STATA, or similar).
• Demonstrated track record in research and applied project leadership with high-quality, high-impact outcomes, including successful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Ability to independently lead significant areas of work with multiple stakeholders and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, collaborate across disciplines, and manage complex project workflows.
• Established reputation with evidence of thought leadership in relevant areas, including keynote presentations, advisory roles with government agencies or international organizations, and policy-focused writing.
• Proven commitment to staying updated with discipline knowledge and developments.
• High-level communication skills and ability to network effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines, create innovative solutions, and build effective relationships.
• Highly developed interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience working in varied cultural contexts, interacting with government ministers and senior officials, and delivering training and workshops (highly desirable).
• Experience working in developing countries, preferably with coastal communities and/or natural resource management (highly desirable).
• Evidence of ability to raise funds from diverse sources to support work and the wider team.
• Understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives, and values.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to relevant training.

Pay

Level C ($155,000 - $178,000) plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.

Schedule

Fixed-term – 2.5 years, full-time (35 hours per week).