Researcher Jobs in Australia

This is a contract role that runs until the end of the current HCD contract period. The exact end date will depend on the program timeframe at commencement.You will join the Local Peoples team, supporting our partnership with the Australian Government under the Human-Centred Design (HCD) contract.

In this role, you will be embedded within the Chief Digital Information Officer Division (CDIOD) – Human-Centred Design (HCD) function, supporting the delivery of scalable, consistent, and high-quality user research operations across multiple teams and programs. You will play a key role in enabling research at scale by strengthening systems, tools, and processes that support participant management, research governance, and knowledge sharing.

Beyond this engagement, you will contribute to broader initiatives that uplift research capability, improve research maturity, and embed human-centred design practices across government.

The position is flexible, with opportunities to work across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra, depending on project requirements.

About the first project

The initial engagement involves supporting the Department’s Human-Centred Design (HCD) function to operationalise and scale user research practices across multiple business areas. You will work closely with HCD practitioners, delivery teams, and external recruitment providers to ensure research is well-coordinated, compliant, and efficiently managed.

The role focuses on strengthening research operations including participant recruitment, consent management, research documentation, and the maintenance of central research repositories such as the Research Library and User Research Tracker. You will also support continuous improvement of research processes, tools, and standards, ensuring alignment with departmental digital experience policies and governance requirements.

This is a fast-paced and evolving environment where priorities, scope, and requirements may shift. You will be expected to apply strong judgement, organisation, and stakeholder engagement skills to deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex setting.

Responsibilities

• Enable and support user research operations across multiple teams and programs
• Manage and maintain research operations systems including the HCD Research Library and User Research Tracker
• Coordinate participant recruitment processes with internal teams and external recruitment providers
• Support research governance including consent management, de-identification, and ethical handling of research data
• Develop and maintain research operations policies, protocols, and standards
• Drive continuous improvement of research tools, workflows, and operational practices
• Lead or contribute to research operations improvement initiatives and special projects
• Support knowledge management, including capture, storage, and organisation of research insights and recordings
• Engage and collaborate with HCD practitioners and multidisciplinary teams conducting user research
• Ensure alignment with departmental digital experience policies, standards, and compliance requirements

Qualifications

• Experience in Research Operations, Human-Centred Design, Service Design, or related disciplines
• Strong understanding of user research processes including recruitment, consent, data handling, and insight management
• Experience managing research repositories, trackers, or knowledge management systems
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under limited direction in complex environments
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and non-technical audience
• Research Operations (Level 3–4): managing end-to-end research operations including participant recruitment, consent, de-identification, and research documentation
• Knowledge Management (Level 3): maintaining structured research libraries, trackers, and repositories
• Digital Tools & Systems (Level 3): proficiency in SharePoint, Microsoft Forms, Excel, and related Microsoft 365 tools
• Stakeholder Engagement (Level 3–4): ability to coordinate across multiple teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders
• Process Improvement (Level 3–4): capability to identify and implement improvements in research workflows and systems
• Organisational Capability (Level 3–4): strong planning, prioritisation, and delivery in ambiguous environment

Residency and Clearance

• Baseline Clearance required or ability to obtain one
• Flexible location: Brisbane, Melbourne, or Canberra

Who are Local Peoples?

Local Peoples is a strategic research and design studio based in Melbourne and Canberra, specialising in policy, service, and product design and delivery.

Our mission is to co-design healthy, resilient, and resourceful communities. As a certified B-Corporation, we focus on social, environmental, and economic impact.

We create lasting value by co-designing, testing, and iterating on policies, services, products, and places to build a positive future for all Australians. We conduct independent research on education, policy co-design, and inclusive design, and use our community engagement expertise to build communities that improve lives and inclusion for those often left behind.

Our partners include state and local governments, social enterprises, universities, and large commercial organisations. We believe design research, thinking, and delivery can solve complex challenges and create positive change for people and the planet.

We produce Matters Journal, a publication and community of 100K+, which focuses on design-led social innovation and impact.

Why join Local Peoples?

• Representative and inclusive - we are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible workplace for people from diverse backgrounds
• Impact driven - work towards achieving real impact for people and the environment
• Fantastic culture - driven by a welcoming, supportive and collaborative team environment
• Professional support for design excellence - benefit from being a part of one of Australia’s fastest growing design and delivery communities
• Flexible working arrangements - including the ability to work remotely
• Market rate salaries - attractive remuneration packages in line with the market rate
• Flexible employment types - including the preference for permanent, but will consider contracting

#J-18808-Ljbffr