Position Description

Lead Researcher – Evidence, Knowledge and Good Practice

Role Specifics

Direct reports | 3

Reports to | Director - Learn and Share

FTE | 1.0 (Full-Time)

Location | Flexible - PLACE functions as a remote/hybrid workforce

PLACE Level | 3

Salary Range | $110,000 - $130,000 + superannuation

Role Summary

The Lead Researcher – Evidence, Knowledge, and Good Practice will drive PLACE’s research agenda by working with place-based initiatives to identify evidence gaps, and commission research to address key challenges. This role will lead efforts to generate high-quality evidence, build partnerships with communities, academic institutions and think tanks, and translate findings into actionable knowledge. The Lead Researcher will also work closely with the Knowledge Translation team to ensure research findings are effectively disseminated and applied in practice.

This role will lead research initiatives, oversee a team of three and contribute to the establishment of the Learning Hub and Centre for Excellence.

Who We Are

Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) is a not-for-profit organisation, committed to collaborative, community-driven approaches to create impactful and lasting change.

It is our vision to enable communities and governments to jointly decide on matters that are most important to our lives. We lead national initiatives to develop workforce strategies, enhance place-based practices and improve data monitoring and evaluation.

At PLACE, we are dedicated to creating lasting change through understanding, action and empowered governance.

Areas of Responsibility

1. Research and Evidence Generation for Place-Based Initiatives

  • Develop and implement PLACE’s national research strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and sector-wide needs.

  • Lead research efforts to identify what works, key success factors, and systemic challenges for place-based initiatives across Australia.

  • Identify gaps in evidence and knowledge, commissioning research projects in collaboration with universities, think tanks, and research institutions.

  • Lead high-quality research initiatives, including evidence reviews, qualitative and quantitative studies, participatory research and evidence syntheses with communities.

  • Ensure research outputs are accessible, action-oriented, and relevant to policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders.

2. Building Strategic Research Partnerships

  • Establish and manage partnerships with academic institutions, think tanks, research bodies and community researchers to strengthen PLACE’s research capacity.

  • Collaborate with external researchers to develop joint studies and policy papers that address barriers in place-based work.

  • Facilitate cross-sector knowledge exchange, ensuring PLACE is positioned as a leader in evidence-based, community-driven solutions.

  • Secure funding and resources for research initiatives through collaborations, grant applications, and commissioned studies.

3. Supervision and Team Development

  • Lead and mentor a team of three researchers, ensuring high-quality research design, execution, and reporting.

  • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and research excellence within the team.

  • Oversee project management, ensuring research outputs are delivered on time, within scope, and to high standards.

4. Sector Influence and Thought Leadership

  • Work closely with PLACE teams and external stakeholders to integrate research findings into program design, policy development, and advocacy efforts.

  • Establish partnerships with academic institutions, think tanks, and sector leaders to enhance PLACE’s research capacity and influence.

  • Represent PLACE in research forums, conferences, and networks, strengthening its reputation as a thought leader in evidence-informed practice.

  • Monitor global and national trends in place-based research, policy, and innovation, identifying opportunities to enhance PLACE’s impact.

5. Capacity Building and Learning Hub Contribution

  • Work closely with the Knowledge Translation team to ensure that research findings are translated into policy tools, learning resources, and practical frameworks.

  • Develop evidence-based recommendations and toolkits that support practitioners, policymakers, and place-based leaders in adopting best practices.

  • Contribute to the Learning Hub and Centre for Excellence, ensuring that PLACE’s research outputs are widely accessible and effectively used.

  • Support the design and facilitation of learning sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events that enhance evidence-informed decision-making.