Research Fellow

Full time 2 year fixed term contract available with the possibility of extension

Work on a project focuses on improving care for people with osteoarthritis

Base Salary starting from $113,400-$151,328 + 17% superannuation

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.

About you

• A postgraduate qualification (PhD or equivalent) in health sciences, public health, epidemiology, or a related discipline
• demonstrated experience in designing, managing, and delivering complex health or implementation research projects, ideally including clinical or cluster randomised trials
• strong knowledge of research governance processes, including preparation and submission of ethics and regulatory approvals
• experience in protocol development, trial registration, and working with data systems or databases in a research setting
• proven ability to collaborate with statisticians and analysts, with an understanding of study design, randomisation, and data analysis methods (including mixed methods or process evaluations)
• experience supervising or mentoring research staff and/or students (e.g. data analysts, PhD candidates)
• demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working with healthcare professionals (e.g. GPs, allied health), health networks, and/or community groups
• experience leading workshops, co-design activities, or implementation strategy development with diverse stakeholders
• strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple activities, meet deadlines, and oversee trial delivery from pilot through to completion
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, including developing stakeholder materials (e.g. audit and feedback reports) and delivering presentations, webinars, or training sessions
• experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data collection, analysis, and reporting for process evaluations
• familiarity with Australian healthcare systems and data sources (e.g. National Health Services Directory) is highly desirable.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

As this position is located on an NSW Health site, it is a regulatory requirement to complete compulsory employment checks prior to starting in this position. For more information and instructions, please visit: NSW Health employment requirements

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

To submit an application for this role please provide the following information:

1. A cover letter which includes a written response to selection criteria addressing your ability to meet the requirements outlined above within the context of the key responsibilities of the role (maximum 1000 words).

2. Your current CV or resume, including two referees.

Please ensure your cover letter is clear, concise, addressing the selection criteria and states the type of employment and level in which you are applying.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rachel Ann Yazigi Recruitment Operations by email to rachel.yazigi@sydney.edu.au.

Applications Close

Sunday 21 June 2026 11:59 PM