Research Associate/Fellow (Level A or B)

About the opportunity

The Sydney School of Health Sciences is experiencing significant growth and investment as part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health's strategic vision. We are seeking a Level A or B Research Associate/ Fellow with expertise in implementation research that includes quantitative and qualitative methods, to assist in research that will evaluate a targeted strategy to support health professionals in delivering more effective, evidence-based care for knee osteoarthritis, with the aim of reducing low-value treatments and improving patient outcomes.

This project focuses on improving care for people with osteoarthritis, a common and painful condition that costs the Australian healthcare system over $4 billion each year. Although the most effective treatments involve education, exercise and weight management, many patients are not offered these options and instead receive unnecessary imaging or are referred for surgery that may not benefit them.

We are seeking a highly motivated academic Research Associate/Fellow (Level A or B) to lead and coordinate key elements of a complex health research trial. In this role, you will establish and manage governance and stakeholder groups while leading protocol development and contributing to data acquisition, analysis and management. The position involves engaging with a wide range of stakeholders-including GPs, physiotherapists, primary health networks, and local healthcare providers-to support trial activities. You will lead co-design workshops and implementation strategy development, oversee pilot and full trial delivery, drive process evaluation activities and supervise junior staff, including a PhD student and data analyst.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Establish and manage key governance and advisory groups, including steering committees and advisory panels
• lead the development of the trial protocol
• prepare and coordinate ethics and governance submissions and oversee trial registration
• oversee trial database design and setup, ensuring alignment with study requirements
• work closely with the study statistician on developing and implementing the randomisation schedule and statistical analysis plan.
• oversee the recruitment of participants (health professionals and consumers) to the trial
• build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including GPs, physiotherapists, Primary Health Networks (PHNs), and local providers to support recruitment and engagement
• lead co-design workshops and facilitate the development and refinement of implementation strategies with clinicians and consumers
• oversee the delivery of the pilot phase and full trial implementation
• oversee and deliver education and engagement activities, including webinars, site visits, and academic detailing sessions
• drive the trial process evaluation activities, including recruitment, data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring continuous improvement and successful trial outcomes
• supervise and support junior team members, including a data analyst and PhD student.