Research Fellow - Health Literacy

Full time fixed term until 27 July 2027 at Camperdown

Research Fellow role in Health Literacy-School of Public Health

Base Salary $127,436 plus 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

Founded in 1930 Sydney School of Public Health is Australia’s first and leading school in public health. Each day, our researchers and graduates are tackling global health challenges and striving to improve equity in communities locally and around the world.

The Sydney Health Literacy Lab is located within the University of Sydney School of Public Health. We have enduring partnerships in health literacy implementation and in research including strong collaboration with the NSW Health Statewide Health Literacy Hub, Wiser Healthcare, Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute as well as other national and international researchers. This ensures our work is conducted to the highest academic standards yet is firmly embedded within the community engaged with a network of clinical practices and community groups.

We are seeking a Research Fellow with strong expertise in use of AI and digital tools for health literacy to contribute to the NHMRC Synergy Grant “NextGen Digital Health Literacy: a unique Australian platform to make AI‑powered healthcare more inclusive, responsible and evidence‑based”

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• contribute to and lead high‑quality research within the NHMRC Synergy Grant on digital and AI‑enabled health literacy
• design, deliver and analyse qualitative, quantitative and mixed‑methods research
• apply co‑design and consumer participation approaches, including engagement with adolescents and young people
• utilise AI and digital tools to support health literacy communication, including social media and digital platforms
• collaborate effectively with internal and external research partners, community organisations and participants
• contribute to publications, reports and dissemination activities aligned with grant objectives
• develop research collaborations and engage in translational research that result in knowledge or technology transfer leading to commercialisation, improved policy or practice, or enhancement to industry, the profession or community.
• contribute expertise and knowledge through communication of scholarship with industry, forums of public debate, organisation of public events, seminars, and conferences

About you

• a PhD or equivalent qualification in public health, health literacy or a related discipline
• demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including mixed methods
• proven research expertise in the use of AI and digital tools in health communication, particularly with adolescents and young people
• experience engaging participants and consumers through co‑design and participatory research methods
• strong record of collaboration within multidisciplinary research teams
• a developing network of academic, industry and professional partners and stakeholders
• ability to work independently under broad direction and provide expert advice within a research context.

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.

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.

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 Recruiter name Cecilia Blamey, Recruitment Operations by email to cecilia.blamey@sydney.edu.au.

Applications Close

Friday 12 June 2026 11:59 PM