Senior Researcher - WFH (Australia wide)

Senior Researcher

As a Senior Researcher, you will play a crucial role in conducting and synthesising research to provide education policymakers and schools with reliable and evidence-based advice. 

• Offering a competitive salary of $120,158 up to $135,841 base (commensurate with skills and experience) plus 11.5% superannuation 
• Flexible location, work from home (Australia-wide)   
• Full time, fixed term contract until 30 June 2026 
• Part time arrangements from 0.8FTE will also be considered
  
  

Are you… 

• Interested in using research to answer questions about ‘what works’?
• Open to changing your mind based on what you find when reviewing or conducting research?
• Curious about the basis on which claims are made, and willing to interrogate research to form a view on whether the methods used support claims made?
• Appreciative of the importance of explaining research methods and findings in plain English to get your message across to non-researchers?
• Energised when working in a team to help tackle important challenges?
  
  

About The Organisation 

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is Australia’s national education evidence body. AERO is working towards excellent and equitable outcomes for all children and young people by generating and making high-quality evidence accessible and enhancing the use of evidence in Australian education.  

AERO is bringing together people who are passionate about evidence-informed policy and practice for schools and early childhood services. Our team is collegial, creative and committed to fulfilling AERO’s potential to make an impact. We value agile thinkers who can help shape AERO as a new, dynamic organisation, and team players who enjoy working across projects and in diverse, interdisciplinary teams. Many of our people have ongoing connections to research, policy and practice organisations, helping us to bridge the gap between evidence generation and translation. 

For more information about AERO, please see https://edresearch.edu.au 

Purpose of the role 

This role contributes to high-quality education research and policy analysis in schooling that aims to deliver high-impact findings that can be easily accessed, understood and implemented by education practitioners and policymakers.

Accountabilities: 

• Contribute to and/or lead the scoping, planning and designing of education research projects aligned to AERO’s annual research agenda.
• Contribute strategic advice based on experience and expertise to the planning of AERO’s annual research agenda and work plan.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure research projects and products are high quality and high impact.
• Plan and undertake primary research or research synthesis activities using rigorous methods.
• Develop research outputs that use plain English and can support decision making by education policymakers.
• Plan for and engage in dissemination activities that maximise the impact of AERO research.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Experience 

Essential requirements: 

• Experience interpreting causal and correlation claims made in social science research, particularly with reference to whether the study design and methods used support a claim.
• Experience undertaking systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses or other structured research synthesis activities, OR experience designing and undertaking evaluations using causal research methods (e.g. quasi-experimental approaches or randomised controlled trials).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to translate technical and complex information concisely and in plain English for diverse audiences.
  
  

Desirable knowledge and experience: 

• Experience planning and executing research projects using a quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods approach.
• Experience working in research teams delivering complex, high-quality products under tight timelines and competing priorities.
• Experience liaising with policymakers to scope research projects and socialise findings.
  
  

AERO welcomes applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

How to apply?  

Please submit an online application:  

• CV and a Cover Letter describing your interest in and suitability for the role addressing the Skills and Experience below.  
  
  

Applications close   

11.59pm Sunday 23 February 2025 (AEDT, Sydney).  

Notes   

• Respectfully, No Agencies please.  
• Please only apply for this role if you are an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia.  
• Appointments are subject to a National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) and having or obtaining a current valid working with children check (WWCC).  
• If you require any additional information to above or have technical difficulties applying, please contact: recruitment@edresearch.edu.au  
• Please do not send applications to this email address, apply through advert.