Hybrid Lead Research Officer - Education Data & Policy

NSW Education Standards Authority; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) invites applications for Lead Research Officer in Sydney. The role supports high‑stakes assessment research, policy development and data‑driven decision making across NSW and national partners.

You will lead a team, manage data sharing agreements, and deliver complex quantitative analyses to inform priorities while collaborating with government bodies and universities to improve educational outcomes.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in research, evaluation and using large datasets.
• Doctorate qualifications and/or publications are preferred.
• Strong ability to manage complex quantitative research projects.

Responsibilities

• Managing and conducting annual data exchange programs with Commonwealth and state agencies to comply with requirements within the agreements.
• Prioritising, evaluating, negotiating, and overseeing data delivery for applications from researchers for ad hoc access to NESA information and data, including coordinating advice to researchers on data availability, appropriateness and methodology.
• Negotiating and managing information sharing agreements for ad hoc data requests.
• Analysing data sources, data collection processes and the use of data to improve the integrity, quality and usability of the data for research.
• Leading, managing and conducting critical complex quantitative analyses to inform and evaluate NESA policy, building data capability in the Directorate.
• Representing NESA on relevant committees.
• Identifying and leading action on opportunities for process and customer service improvements, the integration of data sets to improve research capability, and data integration projects.
• Preparing correspondence, written reports, publications, and briefs that are informative and aligned with agency requirements to respond to NESA and/or government requests.

Skills

SQL

Python (pandas)

Data analysis

Research leadership

Education

PhD or Doctorate preferred

Job description

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) invites applications for Lead Research Officer in Sydney. The role supports high‑stakes assessment research, policy development and data‑driven decision making across NSW and national partners.

You will lead a team, manage data sharing agreements, and deliver complex quantitative analyses to inform priorities while collaborating with government bodies and universities to improve educational outcomes.