Description:
- 5-year Fixed-Term Contract, Full-time position at Academic Level B.
- Based at the MARCS Institute with flexible working arrangements.
- Salary: $120,908 – $142,769 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.
Drive innovative research in music cognition at MARCS and help shape the future of music science.
The Opportunity
As Research Fellow in Music Science, you will play a central role in advancing our understanding of how people perceive, process and engage with music. Working within the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, you will design and lead research projects that use mathematical and computational approaches to investigate music and its cognition. You will work with diverse participant groups and apply rigorous experimental methods to generate high quality, reproducible findings that contribute to the global research conversation.
You will take ownership of the full research lifecycle, from framing research questions and designing experiments through to data collection, analysis and dissemination. This includes running behavioural and neuroscience studies, developing and testing computational or quantitative models, and translating your findings into publications, conference presentations and public outreach activities.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will actively engage with colleagues across the MARCS Institute and work in partnership with relevant Schools and Faculties at Western Sydney University. You will contribute to teaching in aligned disciplines, attract and support higher degree research candidates, and help secure internal and external research funding. In doing so, you will support the strategic direction of the Institute and contribute to its reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary research on brain, behaviour and development.
What Success Looks Like:
- You lead a coherent program of research using mathematical and computational approaches to music cognition that results in high quality publications and conference presentations.
Please refer to the Position Description for full details.
About You
You hold a doctoral qualification in music cognition, music computation or a closely related field such as cognitive science or digital humanities. You have demonstrated experience conducting research that combines mathematical or computational models of music and its cognition with behavioural and/or neuroscience experiments. You bring an established track record of peer reviewed publications and conference presentations in relevant areas of music science or cognition. You demonstrate strong networking skills, with experience developing relationships with academic, industry and professional partners and stakeholders. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, work effectively in teams, manage competing priorities, and have experience contributing to competitive research grant proposals; experience supervising research postgraduate students is desirable.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 Andrew Milne, Associate Professor in Music Cognition and Computation via A.Milne@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1008L. 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.