Associate Research Fellow, Plants and Climate Mitigation Futures

• 0.6 FTE Part-time, 3 years Fixed-Term position at Academic Level A.
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $97,153 – $117,376 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading (Pro-rata).

Coordinate ARC research on plants, climate mitigation, museums and Indigenous knowledge alliances.

The Opportunity

In this position, you will contribute to the Australian Research Council(ARC) Linkage Project, Plants and climate mitigation futures: Museums, communities, knowledges, supporting research, coordination and stakeholder engagement across an interdisciplinary program. The research program advances Indigenous knowledge alliances and community engagement initiatives facilitated by museums to co generate innovative climate plant mitigation concepts and strategies in Australia and Vanuatu.

Working under the direction of the Chief Investigator, you will coordinate day-to-day project activities including research materials, focus groups, workshops, briefings, symposia, meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, travel arrangements, policy related outputs and liaison with project partners. You will develop and prepare research materials and content to support the project's climate plant human research methods and related research activities co-designed with the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, the Indigenous Stakeholder Group, Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators and Traditional Custodians.

You will undertake data collection, analysis and interpretation in line with approved methodologies, ethics requirements and project timelines. You will also contribute to archival research on ecological assessment material relating to bushfires and cultural burning and contribute to the dissemination and translation of research findings through multi-authored scholarly publications including articles and books, reports, presentations, policy outputs and other agreed project deliverables.

What Success Looks Like:

1. Coordinate day to day project activities under the direction of the Chief Investigator, including the organisation of research materials, workshops, briefings, symposia, meetings, travel arrangements and liaison with Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, partner organisations and Institute for Culture and Society professional staff.
2. Develop ethics applications for conducting research with Indigenous and other stakeholder communities.
3. Undertake data collection, analysis and interpretation in accordance with approved project methodologies, ethics requirements and project timelines.
4. Develop and prepare research materials and content to support the project's climate plant human research methods and related research activities.
5. Contribute to archival research and analysis of ecological assessment material relating to bushfires and cultural burning, working collaboratively with the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, the Indigenous Stakeholder Group, with Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, and Traditional Custodians.
6. Contribute to focus groups, stakeholder engagement activities and policy related outputs, including research that informs the development and reframing of policy.
7. Contribute to the dissemination and translation of research findings through multi-authored scholarly publications including articles and books, reports, presentations, policy outputs and other agreed project deliverables.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• A Doctorate or demonstrated equivalent research experience in a relevant humanities area i.e. museum studies, heritage studies, environmental humanities.
• Experience in and knowledge of Indigenous research practices and cultural awareness, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Ni Vanuatu.
• Experience in research project administration, including planning, implementation and delivery.
• Scholarly writing skills and experience contributing to research outputs for varied audiences. 
• Strong oral, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills across cross-cultural and interdisciplinary settings. 
• Experience in engaged research, fieldwork, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. 

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Terence Fairclough, Institute Manager via T.Fairclough@westernsydney.edu.au of the project Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Fiona Cameron via f.cameron@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1665Y.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 6 September 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply:  Applications must be submitted via the University’s online recruitment system. To be considered please include :
  • An updated resume;
  • A cover letter outlining your interest in the role and your suitability for the position; and
  • Any examples of your work you would like to share with the selection committee to.           

           As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.