Charter Hall Senior Research Fellow

• 5-year Fixed-Term Contract, Research-intensive full-time position at Academic Level C.
• Westmead campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $147,138 – $169,011 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead a new research program in ageing and dementia that shapes healthier futures for older adults.

The Opportunity
As the Charter Hall Senior Research Fellow in the Neuroscience of Ageing and Dementia, you will establish and lead a new research program focused on the cognitive neuroscience of ageing. You will design and deliver innovative research that deepens understanding of brain and behavioural changes in later life, and address critical health and/or medical challenges facing older adults.

Working within the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development and the School of Medicine, you will forge strong collaborations across the Westmead Health Precinct and beyond. You will initiate and lead research projects, build strategic partnerships with health, industry and community stakeholders, and translate research outcomes into meaningful impact for patients, carers and communities.

You will also play a key leadership role in building research capacity. This includes securing external research income, mentoring early and mid‑career researchers, supervising Higher Degree Research candidates to completion, and contributing to curriculum development and specialist teaching activities.

What Success Looks Like:

• You lead a coherent, high-performing research program in the neuroscience of ageing and dementia with a strong pipeline of publications and outputs.
• You secure competitive external research funding and develop sustainable partnerships across the Westmead Health Precinct and with national and international collaborators.
• You mentor and supervise early and mid‑career researchers and HDR candidates, contributing to a supportive, inclusive and high-performance research culture.
• You play an active role in governance and strategic decision-making within the MARCS Institute and School of Medicine, contributing to research training, dissemination and impact.
• You contribute to curriculum development aligned to your research expertise.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• PhD qualification in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Psychology or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated record of independent, original research, including high-quality publications in recognised, high-impact journals.
• Proven success in preparing research grant proposals and securing competitive national and/or industry-based research funding.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental methods and associated analyses such as EEG, MEG, fNIRS, fMRI and/or brain stimulation techniques.
• Strong leadership and people skills, including experience mentoring others, supervising research students, and working effectively with diverse stakeholders.

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

• Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state.
• Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
• Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
• Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Professor Kate Stevens, Director, The MARCS Institute via marcs.director@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1006U. 
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 24 March 2026.
• Immigration Sponsorship: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered.

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 talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

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.