Communications & Outreach Officer – UNSW School of Chemical Engineering

Job Description:

The Opportunity
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation (ARC COE-CSI) is a major 7-year initiative supported primarily by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The Centre is led by UNSW and partners with a group of Australian universities as well as a suite of outstanding national and international Partner Organisations. The Centre’s purpose is to revolutionise carbon science and innovation for renewable energy generation and clean chemical production by using carbon catalysts as alternatives to critical minerals.The Communications and Outreach Officer will proactively drive COE-CSI internal and external communications, and design and implement Centre outreach activities. The key function of this role includes working with CSI researchers to promote the centre’s science and innovation via science news writing and promotion via appropriate media outlets, providing media and communications training to our researchers, overseeing the centre’s social media channels, coordinate centre outreach and education activities, producing the centre’s newsletters and contributing to various other communication needs. The Communications and Outreach Officer reports to the Chief Operating Officer and has no direct reports.

• Full Time (35 hours)
• Fixed-Term – 1 year (potential for extension)
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia
• Salary, Level 7: $113,926 - $123,302 per annum + 17% superannuation

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

The Faculty of Engineering at UNSW continues to be a national and international leader in engineering research and education, cementing its status as the University’s premier research faculty. As the largest Engineering Faculty in Australia, it graduates the highest number of engineers and maintains the largest research expenditure in the country. Through excellence in both fundamental and applied research, the Faculty strives to sustain and further its global impact, aiming to be ranked among the top engineering faculties worldwide. For more information, visit the Faculty website: https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/about-us

Skills and Experience:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Communications, Science or with subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience and specialist expertise in communication, media, journalism or public relations; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Highly advanced social media, news writing and oral communication skills, ideally experienced in science communicating.
• Exceptional writing skills, ideally including sound press release writing experience, experience writing feature style content and corporate copy as well as experience producing content for social and digital platforms.
• Experience in liaising between stakeholders and the media and an ability to forge and maintain strong internal and external working relationships.
• Experience in delivering an effective and professional social media strategy.
• Requirements for external stakeholder and community engagement and event deliver
• Exposure to photography, video and audio production and experience using multimedia as a storytelling mechanism for a variety of audiences.
• Preferred experience in graphic design, e.g. Photoshop or Indesign.
• Demonstrated ability to manage low level media issues, with experience in identifying potential issues and advising and implementing appropriate action.
• Ability to work to deadlines, manage conflicting priorities, and high attention to detail.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description.

Pre-Employment Checks:
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

To Apply:
Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Skills and Experience. Applicants must have working rights in Australia and be able to be on site in Kensington regularly. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Contact:

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Allyssar Hamoud – Talent Acquisition Associate
E: [email protected]

Applications close: 11:50 pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday 30^th June 2026

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.