Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Multimodal Foundation Models

Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Multimodal Foundation Models Join the School of Computer Science and Engineering at UNSW to conduct independent and collaborative research in multimodal foundation models. The role focuses on developing robust models across diverse modalities, leveraging techniques such as continual learning, lifelong learning, instruction fine‑tuning, and task‑agnostic prompting. You will work on a defence‑funded project evaluating models on downstream tasks related to situational understanding and contextual intelligence. In addition to research, you will supervise HDR students, contribute to scientific papers and reports, attend conferences and workshops, and collaborate with industry partners. This role reports to Professor Flora Salim and has no direct reports. Key Details Salary: Research Associate (Level A) – AUD$113,911 to $121,838 per annum + 17% superannuation Senior Research Associate (Level B, Step 1) – AUD$127,947 per annum + 17% superannuation Full‑time, fixed‑term contract – 3.5 years starting January 2026 Location: Kensington, Sydney, Australia Working rights for Australia required; visa sponsorship not available About UNSW UNSW is a leading university with a diverse, talented community. The School of Computer Science and Engineering offers undergraduate programmes and conducts world‑leading research in software engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and bioinformatics. For more details, visit https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/computer-science-and-engineering. Skills and Experience Research Associate (Level A) PhD (or soon to be awarded) or relevant work experience Demonstrated research track record in top‑tier AI and ML conferences (CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML) Strong experience in at least two of: deep learning/computer vision, continual learning, vision‑language models Experience developing comprehensive benchmarks Robust coding and software engineering skills; maintain open‑source code repositories Teamwork, collaboration across disciplines, and interpersonal skills Commitment to UNSW values and relevant policies Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities Senior Research Associate (Level B) PhD or relevant work experience Demonstrated research track record in top‑tier AI and ML conferences Strong experience in deep learning/computer vision, continual learning, vision‑language models Experience developing comprehensive benchmarks Robust coding and software engineering skills; experience handling multimodal data, especially videos Commitment to staying current in the field Track record of industry and professional involvement Strong practice of maintaining open‑source repositories High‑level communication, networking with students and staff, and external collaborators Ability to secure alternative funding and industry projects Commitment to UNSW values and policies Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities To Apply Please submit your CV, Cover Letter, and Responses to the Skills and Experience within the application portal by 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Sunday 14 December 2025. Only Australian working rights holders may apply; visa sponsorship is not available. Contact Eugene Aves – Talent Acquisition Consultant at eugene.aves@unsw.edu.au. EEO Statement UNSW is committed to a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, and those with caring responsibilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr