Associate Research Fellow - Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health

Job Description

• 2 Years Fixed-Term position at Academic Level A.
• Campbelltown campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $98,611 – $119,137 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading

Apply inclusive research methods to improve understanding of women’s health and the inequities experienced by marginalised communities.

The Opportunity
In this role, you will contribute to research examining women’s sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, fertility and the menstrual cycle. Working within the Translational Health Research Institute, you will use qualitative, mixed-methods and arts-based approaches to investigate the relationships between gender, health and inequality.

You will contribute across the research lifecycle, including ethics applications, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, scholarly publications, stakeholder engagement, research dissemination and future grant proposals. You will work with staff, students, community partners, industry partners and external project members to support clear communication and effective research delivery.

Community-engaged research is central to this role. You will conduct research with marginalised communities, including migrant and refugee women, using participatory, culturally responsive and inclusive approaches. You will manage sensitive information with care and undertake research that is attentive to trust, power, privacy, confidentiality and participant wellbeing.

You will also contribute to the Institute’s research culture through collaboration, seminars, workshops, higher degree research supervision activities and other research initiatives. You will balance independent work with shared responsibilities across research programs and maintain high ethical and governance standards.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver rigorous qualitative, mixed-methods and arts-based health research.
• Contribute effectively across ethics, recruitment, data collection, analysis, publication, dissemination and grant development.
• Conduct culturally responsive and inclusive research with marginalised communities, including migrant and refugee women.
• Maintain strong communication with staff, students, community partners and other research stakeholders.
• Strengthen the Institute’s research culture through collaboration, collegiality and engagement in research activities.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• A tertiary qualification in psychology, social science, public health or a related health research discipline.
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake high-quality health research leading to refereed journal articles, conference papers or professional reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in qualitative and/or mixed-methods research design, data collection and analysis, with arts-based research experience desirable.
• Demonstrated experience conducting community-engaged research with marginalised communities and/or on sensitive health topics, using culturally responsive and ethical approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience presenting research, and the ability to maintain privacy, confidentiality and appropriate safeguards when managing sensitive data.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Alexandra Hawkey, Senior Research Fellow via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1926O.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Thursday 15 October 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected].

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.