Postdoctoral Fellow - Boosting Heritage Languages Project

Employment Type: Part‑Time (14 hours per week)
Duration: 2 Years
Salary: Level A: $91,381 – $121,838 (Full‑Time Equivalent) + 17% Super + Leave Loading
Location: UNSW’s Kensington Campus

This job is based in Australia.

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters

A Post‑Doctoral Fellow (Level A) is expected to contribute towards the research effort of UNSW and to develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research. This position will support a project funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Scheme which explores heritage language use in urban and digital spaces, using innovative methods including multimodality, narratives and conversation analysis. The project involves fieldwork in Sydney suburbs and will include the development of education resources for parents supporting diverse heritage languages. The successful candidate will require a working with children clearance.

Responsibilities Summary

• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline‑appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• Build and manage project website and a project database on a digital platform.
• Develop education resources for diverse heritage languages.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours (data collection might occur on weekends).

Skills And Experience Summary

• A PhD in a related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and its applications in heritage language maintenance and learning contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of fieldwork experience collecting linguistic data.
• Knowledge of a language other than English and/or the ability to interact with speakers of English as an additional language.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse digital tools and texts and manage digital corporation.

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:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

How to Apply

Submit your CV, along with a separate document that addresses your suitability for the position in relation to the selection criteria (found under the skills & experience section of the PD) online via our application portal.

Applications close: 11:30 pm on the 12th of March.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on

UNSW is unable to offer sponsorship for this position. Applicants must have full Australian working rights for the duration of the contract.

Get in Touch

For queries regarding the recruitment process, contact Lucy Gerondis, Talent Acquisition Consultant, UNSW:

Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply online via the application portal.

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 membershipEmployment 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.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. 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.