• 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.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics currently has more than eighty continuing academic staff and more than thirty research staff as well as visiting academics. UNSW is the only university in Australia to be ranked in the top 100 in the world in mathematics and statistics by CWTS Leiden, US News and QS. The School embodies a broad range of research interests in the areas of applied and pure mathematics, and statistics.

The Research Associate (Level A)/Senior Research Associate (Level B) will undertake research on an ARC-funded Discovery Project entitled “Probabilistic methods for complex discrete structures”, in collaboration with Prof. Catherine Greenhill (UNSW), Dr Mikhail Isaev (UNSW), A/Prof. Anita Liebenau (UNSW), Prof. Brendan McKay (ANU) and Prof. Ian Wanless (Monash). The project aims to develop new theoretical tools to address fundamental challenges about graphs and hypergraphs with given degrees, including: asymptotic enumeration of (hyper)graphs with highly irregular degrees; distribution of small subgraphs in random (hyper)graphs with highly irregular degrees, and extensions of these considerations to combinatorial designs.

The position may also be expected to contribute to the teaching effort of the School of Mathematics and Statistics through limited teaching (no more than 15% of the role’s total time in aggregate) in research-related undergraduate subjects, and/or to contribute to outreach activities of the School.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics is committed to diversity and equity, supporting women and staff from diverse backgrounds.

About the role

• Level A - $113K - $121K plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Level B - $128k - $150k - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed term – 2 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to the Professor Catherine Greenhill and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

LEVEL A:

• Conduct original research in asymptotic, algorithmic and/or probabilistic combinatorics, with particular focus on hypergraphs.
• Collaborate on research problems with the project team (Prof. Greenhill, Dr Isaev, A/Prof. Liebenau, Prof. McKay and Prof. Wanless).
• Contribute to the writing of research articles for publication in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Present results at international and local conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project.
• Undertake other research and administration tasks arising from the project.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

LEVEL B:
(in addition to the above)

• Contribute to the research environment at UNSW by, for example, leading reading groups or co-supervising/mentoring students.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

LEVEL A:

• A completed, or near to completion of a PhD in a relevant area of mathematics or theoretical computer science.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge in asymptotic, algorithmic or probabilistic combinatorics, or a closely related area
• Demonstrated high level analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality research articles
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, under limited supervision and as part of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skill
• 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.

LEVEL B:
(in addition to the above)

• Demonstrated capacity to deliver project outcomes in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated record of publishing in high-quality international journals.

You should provide a cover letter and systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details. 

Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

Contact:
Catherine Greenhill             
E: c.greenhill@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: August 31^st, 2025

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

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.