Employment Opportunities - Senior Researcher (Quantitative)

Would you like to work on cutting-edge legal needs research?

The Foundation works to improve access to justice, particularly for disadvantaged people. We aim to provide comprehensive empirical data to inform legal service provision to meet community need.

We are looking for a Senior Researcher to assist in project leadership who has excellent research qualifications in the social sciences or statistics, and proven experience leading quantitative social science research, conducting a broad range of statistical analyses including multivariate analyses, using statistical packages with large data sets, and writing quantitative research reports.

Attractive salary. Flexible, family-friendly workplace. Full-time preferred, part-time and secondment considered.

Applicants should address the selection criteria, which can be obtained from our website (www.lawfoundation.net.au) or Richard Wood (02) 8227 3207.

Applications, including a curriculum vitae, should be received by Friday 13 November 2009, via email to rwood@lawfoundation.net.au or mail to Richard Wood, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, GPO Box 4264, SYDNEY NSW 2001.

Applicants should address the selection criteria below. Applications, including a curriculum vitae, should be received by Friday 13 November 2009, via email to

or mail to:

Overview and purpose of position

The Senior Researcher (Quantitative) works in a senior/leading role in the design, conduct and write-up of socio-legal research studies in the Foundation’s research program.

The Senior Researcher will work on a range of projects, including:

The large-scale, national telephone sample survey of legal needs. The present survey is the largest ever legal needs survey conducted anywhere in the world, comprising over 20,000 interviews. It will inform policy on access to justice issues and the provision of legal services across Australia.
The Data Digest project. This seeks to integrate data from a range of legal service providers and other sources to facilitate analysis, mapping and presentation of information to improve understanding of legal need and to inform policy development and service delivery.

Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience

Responsible to: Principal Researcher

Duties

Provide leadership in the planning, design, conduct, analysis, writing, reporting, documentation, administration and management of quantitative research studies in collaboration with other research staff
Contribute as a member of research teams, participating in quantitative research design, literature review, data collection, data analysis, and drafting of reports, papers, correspondence and other communication
Supervise researchers and assistants as required
Participate in the ongoing review of research plans and reports, including proofreading and/or editing research reports and other materials to the highest possible (and publishable) standard
Assist the Principal Researcher with the management and coordination of the Foundation’s research program, as required
Assist the Principal Researcher with the provision of internal and external advice on research and statistical methods, as required
Work effectively with key staff across the organisation, including engaged external consultants, to ensure a common focus for the successful conduct and completion of the Foundation’s research projects
Work with the Director, Principal Researcher and other Senior Researchers to ensure that the Foundation’s research skills and capabilities are appropriately developed and maintained
In conjunction with other staff of the Foundation, establish and foster relationships and networks across community, legal, academic and other areas to ensure the success of the research program of the Foundation
Deliver presentations in relation to projects undertaken as required
Keep up to date with issues and trends in the justice area and in the area of research techniques, and exchange relevant information with other members of the research staff
Comply with Law and Justice Foundation procedures and policies
Carry out other tasks as required to assist in the operation of the Foundation, including the development and/or review of research grant proposals
Prepare and present papers at appropriate conferences as required
Prepare papers for publication in the applied and academic literature as required.

Skills/Selection Criteria

Essential

Tertiary qualifications in the social sciences, statistics or other relevant discipline with an honours (research) degree or equivalent research experience
A minimum of 4 years’ proven relevant experience in the effective planning, design, conduct, statistical analysis, write-up, management and leadership of complex, multi-faceted quantitative research projects
Demonstrated experience in:

designing research studies to address specific research questions
designing, conducting and interpreting a broad range of statistical analyses, including univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses
conducting statistical analysis on large-scale data sets using statistical packages such as SPSS and spreadsheet packages such as EXCEL
managing research projects effectively and meeting deadlines
producing authoritative, credible, high-level research reports to a standard suitable for publication
communicating at a high level - both in writing and speaking
working harmoniously with others

Ability to:

liaise, consult and negotiate at a high level with major legal stakeholders and other agencies
work under pressure and manage changing priorities
be a highly dynamic and effective team leader and staff supervisor
independently design, conduct, analyse and write up policy-relevant social research

Desirable

Post-graduate research degree in the social sciences or relevant discipline
Experience in large-scale survey design, analysis and interpretation
Legal qualification, or experience in the application of social science research methodology to socio-legal research, or sound knowledge of the justice system
A record of publications in peer reviewed journals
Attendance at continuing education programs, focusing on development of research skills and techniques