Postdoctoral Fellow (Indigenous Targeted) - Cities Institute

UNSW; Princeton (CA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Cultural Leave and Indigenous Employee

Superannuation

Leave loading

Job summary

UNSW Cities Institute invites a Postdoctoral Fellow (Level B) to lead independent and collaborative research on Indigenous planning, land use, and development, contributing to ARC Linkage outputs and policy impact.

Based in Kensington, NSW, the role involves fieldwork across NSW, Aboriginal partner engagement, and adherence to AIATSIS ethics. Fixed-term Jan 2027–Mar 2029; salaryA$133,065–$156,864 + 17% super + leave loading.

Qualifications

• PhD in geography, planning, political economy or law; expertise in planning and geography desirable.
• Extensive experience with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Experience following AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Indigenous Research.
• Understanding of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
• Commitment to Indigenous self-determination and community wellbeing.
• Qualitative data collection, policy analysis, and fieldwork experience.
• Knowledge of qualitative analysis software (NVivo preferred).
• Emerging research outputs with leadership potential.
• Strong understanding of urban and regional planning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage in independent and collaborative research.
• Undertake literature and policy reviews on Indigenous planning and land use.
• Conduct fieldwork including qualitative interviews with Aboriginal partners; travel needed.
• Produce high-quality research outputs contributing to knowledge.
• Develop research profile and contribute to grant applications.
• Support project management and timely outputs; adhere to ethics.

Skills

Indigenous engagement

Qualitative data collection

Policy analysis

Fieldwork

Research leadership potential

Interpersonal skills

Urban planning understanding

Education

PhD in geography/planning/law

Tools

NVivo

Job description

This Job is based in Australia

• Duration: Fixed-term contract January 2027 until March 2029 (negotiable)
• Remuneration: Level B $133,065 - $156,864 + 17% Super + Leave Loading
• Location: Kensington, NSW
• Benefits: Cultural Leave and Indigenous Employee Network

Whilst this role is open to everyone, we strongly encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

Why Your Role Matters

The Postdoctoral Fellow (Level B) will undertake independent and collaborative research within UNSW Cities Institute, as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage project, contributing to high-quality academic and policy outputs. The project focuses on the intersections between Indigenous planning, land use and land development, and state planning. The role requires close and effective engagement with Aboriginal partners, and a range of non-Indigenous partners, and close alignment with ethical research frameworks.

The position reports to the Scientia Fellow and has no direct reports.

Specific Accountabilities Include

• Engage in individual and collaborative research consistent with disciplinary practice
• Undertake literature and policy reviews and develop expertise in Indigenous planning and land use and development
• Undertake independent fieldwork, including qualitative interviews with Aboriginal partners. The position requires travel and several weeks of fieldwork in different towns across NSW
• Produce high-quality research outputs that contribute to disciplinary knowledge
• Conduct research independently under limited supervision
• Develop a research profile and contribute to competitive grant applications
• Contribute to project management and the timely delivery of academic and policy outputs
• Adhere to AIATSIS Code of Ethics and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols

About You

• A PhD in a relevant discipline, e.g. geography, planning, political economy, law (expertise in planning and geography is highly desirable)
• Extensive experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities on collaborative research
• Experience undertaking research under the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
• Understanding of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
• Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous self-determination and community wellbeing
• Demonstrated research experience including qualitative data collection, policy analysis, and fieldwork
• Knowledge of qualitative data analysis software (experience with NVivo is preferrable)
• Track record of emerging high-quality research outputs and potential for research leadership
• Strong understanding of critical approaches to urban and regional planning
• High level communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills
• Demonstrated ability to work individually and in teams and build effective relationships
• Highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills
• Desired: Familiarity with NSW planning policy and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (or ability to develop this knowledge in a timely manner)

For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@UNSW.

Benefits And Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.

Our Benefits Include

• Flexible working options
• Career development opportunities
• Cultural Leave and Indigenous Employee Network
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness).

Visa sponsorship is available subject to merit-based selection.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Any questions?

• For any queries about the kind of support available for our Indigenous staff, get in touch with our Manager, Indigenous Employment, Nat Chenhall: [e-mail]
• For queries regarding the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition Partner, Lucy Gerondis: [e-mail]
• For queries regarding the role and your eligibility, please contact Project Director, Naama Blatman: [e-mail]
• Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply via the application portal.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjust