Shape the Future of Science
UNSW Science is seeking outstanding researchers, collaborators and educators to join a new cohort of academics recruited through our Strategic Research Cluster Initiative.
The Faculty of Science is making a major investment in interdisciplinary research by recruiting approximately 10 continuing academics at Lecturer (Level B) and Senior Lecturer (Level C).
Successful candidates will join one of three Strategic Research Clusters and be based in a host School aligned with their disciplinary expertise. This model combines the strength of a disciplinary home with opportunities to collaborate across Schools, build internationally competitive research programs and contribute to research-led teaching.
UNSW Science has set a target for women to comprise at least 50% of appointments, through proactive attraction and equitable recruitment practices.
The initiative supports the Faculty’s 2035 Strategy and UNSW’s Progress for All strategy by strengthening research excellence and the capabilities needed to address our priority Societal Challenges.
QS World University Rankings, 2024-2026
Australian Research Council Funding Outcomes (2025)
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026
- Position details
- Strategic Research Clusters
- Why Join UNSW Science
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- How to Apply
Position: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer (Level B/C)
Employment Type: Continuing, full-time
Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia
Faculty: Faculty of Science
School: Successful candidates will be appointed to a host School aligned with their disciplinary expertise while contributing to a Faculty Strategic Research Cluster.
Salary: Level B/C plus 17% superannuation and leave loading
Number of Positions: Approximately 10
Applicants are asked to nominate one Strategic Research Cluster that best aligns with their research expertise and a preferred host School/s.
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Help shape the future of materials discovery by combining computational, theoretical and experimental approaches to design the next generation of functional materials. We are seeking researchers who use digital technologies, data-driven and wet lab methods to do interdisciplinary science to accelerate materials discovery and engineering.
Research areas of interest include:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning for materials discovery
- Computational and multiscale materials modelling
- Biomaterials, bio-inspired materials and the physics of these materials
- Tissue engineering and regenerative materials
- Functional and structural materials
- Soft matter and active matter
- High-throughput experimentation and screening
- Chemical and physical approaches to materials design
- Engineering biology and synthetic biology platforms for materials innovation.
This Cluster brings together expertise across Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Statistics, and Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences to accelerate discovery from fundamental science through to real-world applications.
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Advance the resilience and protection of our environment through improved environmental sensing and prediction with remote sensing, AI, environmental genomics, One Health, climate modelling, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. We welcome researchers whose work improves our ability to understand, predict and protect natural and managed environments.
Research areas of interest include:
Environmental sensing, imaging and remote sensing technologies
Environmental and non-human genomics, microbiomes and One Health
Climate modelling and prediction
Artificial intelligence for environmental science
Carbon modelling and net zero solutions
Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
Habitat restoration and environmental remediation
Environmental biotechnology and bioremediation
Environmental policy, decision support and climate risk
Hybrid AI and physics-based environmental and climate modelling.
This Cluster connects expertise across Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Aviation and related disciplines to address environmental challenges from molecular to global scales.
It advances the Societal Challenges of Building a Liveable and Healthy Future, Scaling a Net-Zero and Circular Economy and Decision-Making in Complexity.
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Advance human health through interdisciplinary research spanning molecules, cells, tissues, physiology and behaviour. We are seeking researchers who combine experimental, computational and quantitative approaches to better understand health and disease and translate discoveries into improved health outcomes.
Research areas of interest include:
- Neuroscience and computational neuroscience
- Human disease and tissue modelling
- Biophysics for human health
- Advanced imaging and image analysis
- Systems biology, quantitative biology and bioinformatics
- Functional genomics and perturbation biology
- Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
- Precision medicine and translational therapeutics
- Artificial intelligence for health and biomedical discovery.
This Cluster brings together expertise across Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics to develop innovative approaches to understanding and improving human health.
We recognise that outstanding interdisciplinary research can span traditional disciplinary boundaries and encourage applications from researchers whose expertise aligns with the intent of the Cluster.
The Faculty of Science comprises the Schools of Aviation, Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics and Psychology.
At UNSW Science you'll join one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and become part of a collaborative community tackling complex global challenges through world-class research and education.
As part of this initiative, you'll benefit from:
Membership of a Faculty-wide Strategic Research Cluster
Opportunities to build interdisciplinary collaborations across Schools
Research development and mentoring support
Access to competitive internal funding opportunities
A vibrant and inclusive research environment.
UNSW also offers:
Flexible working arrangements
Generous leave provisions
Support for carers
Priority access to childcare
Extensive professional development opportunities
Partnerships with leading diversity organisations.
Find out more here.
UNSW is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and accessible workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We value the different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking that a diverse workforce brings to our research, teaching and university community.
UNSW Science is particularly committed to improving gender equity across our academic workforce. Through this initiative, we are seeking to achieve a recruitment outcome of at least 50% women, supported by proactive attraction, inclusive selection practices and an equitable recruitment process.
We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and/or racially marginalised backgrounds, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and others who will contribute to a diverse, inclusive and collaborative Faculty.
Appointments will be made on merit. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace for candidates who require them.
Find out more here.
Applications close Tuesday 1 September 2026
Please refer to the job posting for the full list of selection criteria and role responsibilities.
Your application should systematically address the selection criteria listed above, outline alignment with your nominated Strategic Research Cluster, and identify the UNSW Science School/s that best aligns with your disciplinary expertise.
If you have had any interruptions in your career you are encouraged to also include an Achievement Relative to Opportunity (ARO) / Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) statement as part of your applicable.
Please apply online via Jobs@UNSW – applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.
Contact:
PJ Sullivan
E: pj.sullivan@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: Tuesday 1 September 2026