Senior Research Fellow - Psychology

This Job is based in Australia

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Psychology at UNSW is the leading Psychology school in Australia. It is located in the Faculty of Science and is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in research and teaching. It offers world class undergraduate psychology degrees, as well as postgraduate professional Masters training in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, an online Graduate Diploma program, and a PhD research program with over 120 students. 40 academic staff conduct experimental research in many areas of Psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, perception, learning, memory and cognition, as well as health, social, developmental, clinical and forensic psychology. UNSW Psychology is the only School in the southern hemisphere ranked in the top 30 by discipline in the THES, QS and ARWU rankings. The School has well equipped research and teaching facilities and attracts outstanding staff and students from Australia and overseas. UNSW is located 5 km from the centre of Sydney and is close to other research centres, teaching hospitals, transport, shopping, and beaches.

For further information about the school please visit

The Senior Research Fellow (Level C) is expected to make independent and original contributions to the research program of the NeuroRecovery Research Hub and to actively conduct research in the areas of mental health, chronic pain and spinal cord injury. The Fellow will apply their research expertise within the NeuroRecovery Research Hub and relevant interdisciplinary areas and is expected to play a major role in research, including providing leadership in the design, execution and advancement of research activities.

About The Role

• $155k - $178k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 3 years
• Part time (17.5 hours)

The role reports Professor Sylvia Gustin has no direct reports.

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Make independent contributions to research that have a significant impact in the field of chronic pain, mental health and spinal cord injury and create an inter/nationally recognised research track record in this field.
• Undertake independent research in chronic pain, mental health and spinal cord injury, making an independent contribution through professional practice and expertise.
• Develop research groups in area of chronic pain, mental health and spinal cord injury expertise and neuroimaging research methods that are appropriate to the discipline.
• Attract peer recognition and establish research network/s (based on the norms of the discipline) at national level.
• Obtain research income from nationally competitive research grants (and/or research fellowships) and research end-users as a member or leader, at or above the level that is relevant to the discipline in leading universities.
• Mentor and guide students, groups, and colleagues; supervise HDRs to timely completion as primary supervisor; and contribute to HDR review panels.
• Lead/chair international working groups in the field of chronic pain, spinal cord injury and mental health.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Ensure hazards and risks are identified and controlled for tasks, projects and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.

About The Successful Applicant

(Selection Criteria)

To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have

• A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated a neuroimaging track record in the field of spinal cord injury, chronic pain and mental health research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence as well as the capacity for research leadership.
• Demonstrated use of the major neuroimaging softwares for both brain and spine imaging data.
• Advanced expertise in brain and spinal cord neuroimaging techniques, including use of state-of-the-art processing and analysis software (e.g., FreeSurfer, FSL, SCT, SPM, MRtrix, HALFpipe).
• Demonstrated leadership in running multisite, multinational imaging working groups (e.g., ENIGMA) in the field of chronic pain, mental health and spinal cord injury, including expert knowledge of data harmonisation.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact :

Sylvia Gustin

E: [email protected]

Applications close: March 17th, 2026

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At

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 adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.