Description:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cognitive Neuroscience, The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development
Full-Time, Fixed-Term Position for 2.5 Years Based at Westmead Innovation Quarter $112,718 to $136,180 p.a. Inclusive of Superannuation + Leave LoadingAbout Western and The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development
Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led institution at the heart of Australia’s fastest-growing and most economically significant region. With 11 campuses across Sydney and international locations in Vietnam and Indonesia—plus planned expansion in India—it serves nearly 50,000 students, 3,500 staff, and a global network of over 200,000 alumni. Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide, over 85% of its assessed research is rated ‘World Standard’ or above. The University is ranked #1 globally and nationally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings (2022-2025) for its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development is an interdisciplinary research institute of Western Sydney University. The vision for the Institute is to optimise human interaction, and wellbeing across lifespan. We strive to solve the problems that matter most through the themes: sensing and perceiving, interacting with each other, and technologies for humans. Researchers in MARCS come from many disciplines including cognitive science, developmental psychology, language science, music science, cognitive neuroscience, and biomedical, electrical, electronic and software engineering. The Institute consists of three Research Areas - the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems, Brain Sciences, and Biomedical and Human Technologies. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will join the Brain Sciences research program.
The Institute is committed to a culture that embraces equity and a diverse and inclusive community where everyone participates in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities.
Further information is available from our website – http://westernsydney.edu.au/marcs
The Opportunity
Are you a passionate researcher with a keen interest in cognitive neuroscience and digital innovation? Western’s MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cognitive Neuroscience to join the team on an Australian Research Council Linkage Project titled “Engaging Digital Objects: Enhancing discoverability and inclusivity in the Powerhouse online collection.”
You will contribute to cutting-edge research that blends gamified online data collection with neurocomputational analysis to explore how public users perceive digitised Powerhouse museum objects. The project is a collaboration between Western Sydney University and the Powerhouse Museum (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences), offering a unique intersection of science, technology, and cultural engagement. Your research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr Genevieve Quek (WSU), Dr Tijl Grootswagers (WSU), and Professor Manuel Varlet (WSU), in collaboration with Partner Investigators from the Powerhouse Museum. Additionally, you will engage in high-impact research using deep neural networks, behavioural and neuroimaging experiments, and contribute to scholarly publications and conferences.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 2.5 years. You will be based at Westmead Innovation Quarter in the new research facilities of the MARCS Institute, although travel to other campuses of the University may be required.
Please review the position description for further information.
About You
You hold a doctoral qualification in Cognitive Neuroscience, Machine Learning, Computer Science or another related discipline. You bring expertise in conducting and leading research in visual cognitive neuroscience and object recognition, with hands-on experience using human neuroimaging and online data collection methods. You’re skilled in developing computational models and deep neural networks that reflect principles of human cognition and brain function. Your academic record includes high-quality peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and you thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments.
If you are passionate and eager to contribute to world-leading research that bridges neuroscience, technology, and cultural engagement, we encourage you to apply.
Remuneration Package: Academic Level A $112,718 to $136,180 p.a. (comprising Salary of $95,248 to $115,074 p.a., plus Superannuation and Leave Loading)
Closing Date: 8:30pm, Wednesday 13 August 2025.
Position Enquiries: Please direct enquires about the role to Dr Genevieve Quek via email at g.quek@westernsydney.edu.au.
Recruitment Enquiries: Specific enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to the Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.
Immigration Sponsorship
Employer Visa sponsorship may be provided if required.
Please note, only those applications submitted via the WSU online recruitment system will be accepted.