Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Research Officer (BOCSAR)

Location - Parramatta with flexible/hybrid options

Employment type - Temporary full-time role for 12 months with the possibility of an extension

Salary - $121,845.00 pa to $133,105.00 pa, plus employers' contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

The Senior Research Officer conducts research into crime and the criminal justice system, contributing to BOCSAR's (Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research) mission of delivering accurate, objective, and accessible evidence to inform public and government decision-making on crime and justice issues.

This role sits within the research team and reports to the Research Manager.

What you'll do

The Senior Research Officer is part of a multidisciplinary team of economists, statisticians, psychologists, and epidemiologists working in a highly collaborative and supportive environment. This team supports the efficiency, fairness, and effectiveness of the NSW criminal justice system by producing high-quality, evidence-based research.

In this role, you will:

• Evaluate the impact of programs on crime, the criminal justice system, and reoffending.
• Prepare research reports and briefing notes to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Present research findings at seminars, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• Provide technical advice on research methodologies to departmental staff and staff from other agencies.
• Review external research proposals and papers submitted by individuals and organisations.

This position plays a critical role in contributing to the Bureau's objective of delivering accurate, objective, and accessible information to inform both public and government decisions on crime and justice.

What we're looking for

Essential Requirements

• An Honours degree or higher, or equivalent in statistics, economics, epidemiology, psychology, or another discipline with a strong statistical component.

Desirable Experience and Knowledge

In addition to meeting the essential requirements, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong capabilities in:

• Conducting research independently, within established research designs, frameworks, and timeframes.
• Using contemporary research and statistical software relevant to the role (e.g., Stata, R, SAS).
• Communicating research findings effectively through written reports, presentations, and other stakeholder-facing formats.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

Targeted Question 1

Please describe a research project you have recently undertaken. What was the research question, the method you used, and the limitations of the approach?

Targeted Question 2

What statistical software(s) are you proficient in (e.g. R, Stata, SAS)? Please provide examples of how you have used these tools in previous research projects, including type of dataset(s) used.

Applications close Wednesday, 13 August 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Nicole Adams on 02 8688 9800 or at [email protected]

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3042 or via [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.