Lead Statistician

Are you a data expert passionate about transforming education?

• Offering a competitive base salary starting from $112,400 (aligned with skills and experience) plus 11.5% superannuation. Salary to be negotiated with successful candidate.
• Full time, ongoing contract
• Flexible location, work from home (Australia-wide)

About The Organisation

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is Australia’s national education evidence body. AERO is working towards excellent and equitable outcomes for all children and young people by generating and making high-quality evidence accessible and enhancing the use of evidence in Australian education.

AERO is bringing together people who are passionate about evidence-informed policy and practice for schools and early childhood services. Our team is collegial, creative and committed to fulfilling AERO’s potential to make an impact. We value agile thinkers who can help shape AERO as a new, dynamic organisation, and team players who enjoy working across projects and in diverse, interdisciplinary teams. Many of our people have ongoing connections to research, policy and practice organisations, helping us to bridge the gap between evidence generation and translation.

For more information about AERO, please see https://edresearch.edu.au

Purpose of the role

In this role, you'll undertake advanced statistical and data analysis to support education research and policy in early childhood and schooling. The aim of this work is to deliver high-impact findings that can be easily accessed, understood and implemented by education practitioners and policymakers. If you're eager to turn data into meaningful change in the education sector, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Accountabilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of research projects using advanced quantitative and statistical modelling to support AERO's strategic research priorities across early childhood education and care and schools.
• Prepare, process and cleanse large and/or complex data files for research and evaluation purposes.
• Effectively communicate analysis and advice to a wide range of stakeholders and senior audiences using a variety of written, verbal and visual methods, and to publication standards.
• Manage the implementation of key statistical and analysis projects with the guidance of senior officers to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead professional development activities within AERO to enhance staff capability in the areas of statistics and modelling.
• Support team members in the development of research projects and initiatives to ensure methodological rigor, transparency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure research projects and products are high quality and high impact.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential requirements:

• Postgraduate qualifications in a quantitative discipline, preferably statistics or mathematics.
• Advanced methodological capabilities, including the ability to independently develop novel statistical techniques to address complex technical challenges.

Knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of educational datasets in the Australian context and experience analysing large, complex administrative or survey datasets.
• In-depth knowledge in statistical theories and practices.
• Knowledge of education measurement concepts and experience in psychometric analysis.
• Effective communication skills, with an ability to translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences.
• Highly developed skills in advanced and complex statistical modelling, statistical methods, techniques and testing, including simulation, multiple imputations, and multidimensional statistical modelling.
• Highly proficient in the use of R or Stata to manage data and analysis.

AERO welcomes applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

How to apply?

Please submit an online application:

• CV and a Cover Letter describing your interest in and suitability for the role addressing the Skills and Experience below.
• Statement (maximum 2 pages) on how you would achieve the accountabilities of the role.

Applications close

11.59pm Sunday, 23 March 2025 (Sydney, AEDT)

Notes

• Respectfully, No Agencies please.
• Please only apply for this role if you are an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia.
• Appointments are subject to a National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) and having or obtaining a current valid working with children check (WWCC).
• If you require any additional information to above or have technical difficulties applying, please contact: [email protected]
• Please do not send applications to this email address, apply via AERO Jobs (https://www.edresearch.edu.au/about-us/work-with-us).