Lead Education Data Researcher (Hybrid)

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave entitlements

Salary packaging options

Discounted health and fitness

Job summary

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) seeks a Lead Research Officer to drive high‑quality data research across NSW and nationally. You will lead a team, manage data requests, and collaborate with government bodies, universities and external agencies to enable strategic evidence-based decision making.

You will negotiate information sharing agreements, oversee data delivery for researchers, and guide methodological approaches to improve data integrity and usefulness for policy evaluation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex quantitative research projects.
• Experience managing stakeholder expectations across government bodies.
• Doctorate or publications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex data analyses to inform policy and program outcomes.
• Manage annual data exchange programs with Commonwealth and state agencies.
• Negotiate data sharing agreements and coordinate researchers on data use.

Skills

Large datasets

Quantitative research

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

SQL

Python (pandas)

Education

Doctorate preferred

Tertiary qualification in quantitative research

Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) seeks a Lead Research Officer to drive high‑quality data research across NSW and nationally. You will lead a team, manage data requests, and collaborate with government bodies, universities and external agencies to enable strategic evidence-based decision making.

You will negotiate information sharing agreements, oversee data delivery for researchers, and guide methodological approaches to improve data integrity and usefulness for policy evaluation.