Research Associate / Research Fellow (BITA), School of Agriculture and Environment

UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

• Outstanding opportunity to build your networks within national research organisations and the agricultural industry
• Appointments can be part-time (0.8FTE) or full-time on a 3-year fixed term basis
• Base salary range: Level A $74,236 – $99,905 p.a. OR Level B $105,043 - $124,301 p.a. plus 17% superannuation

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research-intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

About the team

The UWA School of Agriculture and Environment is surrounded by a wealth of agricultural, natural and mining resources. Our location allows us to produce innovative research with worldwide application.

Our teaching and research benefit from a network of national and international collaborators. Our strong industry and government links are producing change in agricultural and environmental management, regional development, and urban policy and planning.  We have a strong track record in PhD supervision and external research grant success. The Australian Research Council rated Agricultural Science at UWA as 'above world standards' and Environmental Science at UWA as 'well above world standards' during the most recent Excellence in Research Australia assessment.

The Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development (CAED) is housed within the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment. It aims to provide world-class evidence-based economic research and advice on emerging agricultural issues of regional, national, and global significance and their impact on food systems, producers, the natural environment, and economic development in Australia and globally.

CAED has a wealth of experience and undertakes research that enhances the sustainability and profitability of agriculture. For more information about the centre, please visit the website: https://www.uwacaed.org/  

About the opportunity

The Centre is searching a Postdoctoral Researchers to play a key role in our research programs. This appointment is an opportunity for an early career academic to join high profile nationally-funded research projects.

As the appointee, you will be a member of the Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development within the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment. You will work in a team with other researchers and academics within the Centre, and your role will involve liaison and collaboration with project stakeholders (including farmers) and partner organisations. 

These positions will be working with the Australian Research Council-funded Industrial Training and Transformation Centre for Behavioural Insights for Technology Adoption (BITA). BITA is a collaboration between three leading universities: QUT, UQ and UWA. BITA works with industry, government and start-up partners to overcome stubborn problems and grand challenges in the adoption of innovative technology. The Research Fellow/Associate will conduct behavioural research with farmers and industry partners to enhance adoption of innovations in agriculture.

About you 

You will conduct high-quality research and data analysis, engage with and involve project stakeholders, communicate research outcomes to all stakeholders, write technical reports and academic publications, and contribute to a range of outputs in accordance with research grant requirements or contract agreements. You will work on specific project plans devised by a Project Leader that outlines the tasks you will be responsible for to successfully implement research projects. There is potential to be involved in PhD student supervision.

To be considered for this role, you will demonstrate:

• Completed (or near completion) doctoral qualification in Agricultural Economics, Behavioural Science or related field
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills with an ability to present research findings to a variety of audiences and evidence of publication in high quality journals.
• Experience in interview and survey design, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, applied behavioural economics, decision making frameworks, and risk analysis or adoption
• Reasonable understanding of the inherent risks in and challenges facing the Australian agricultural industry
• Highly developed organisational skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines
• Proficiency in a range of computing skills including word processing, spreadsheets programs, databases, and data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, NVivo, or Leximancer
• Ability to work independently, show initiative, problem solve and work collaboratively as part of a diverse team

To be considered for appointment at Level B, you will be an exceptional candidate that can also demonstrate:

• Relevant research experience at an appropriate level in a multidisciplinary environment that includes collaboration across industry, government and research sectors, preferably with experience working with farmers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, evidenced by peer-reviewed journal articles published in respected scholarly journals and a track record of delivering presentations to both an academic and industry/government audience.

About your application

Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description:  PD - Research Associate or Fellow 514836.pdf

You are required to address the above selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria

This position is open to international applicants with relevant work rights for Australia.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 15 October 2023

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Tamara Harrold on (08) 6488 5507 or at tamara.harold@uwa.edu.au  

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution. We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with a disability.

• We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
• We have on-campus childcare facilities for children from 6 weeks to kindy.
• We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
• We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
• We have Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation and actively work to improve gender equity. 
• In the application process, we will consider your achievements relative to opportunity.

Should you have any queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, contact the Talent team at talent-hr@uwa.edu.au with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry.