Clinical and Translational Post-Doctoral Research Associate (usyd)

Job Description

• Full Time (1.0 FTE), 2-year Fixed term contract until 2025 at Central Clinical School and Sydney School of Public Health (with potential for extension subject to funding)
• Exciting opportunity to be part of a multi-disciplinary team working on novel quantitative epidemiological methods to support clinical translational research for better outcomes in pulmonary disease
• Based at Camperdown Campus
• Base Salary $105,350 - $112,462 + 17% superannuation (flexible work arrangements negotiable)

About the opportunity

Opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis (CRE-PF) team. The CRE-PF team is led by Prof Tamera Corte (Central Clinical School) with outstanding national and international collaborators. The team’s clinical and translational research focuses on Pulmonary Fibrosis, encompassing a group of lung disorders that share the hallmark of fibrosis or scarring of the lung. This role will be based with one of the CRE-PF investigators, A/Prof Luke Knibbs (School of Public Health), collaborating with Prof Tamera Corte, and as part of the broader CRE-PF team.

The Post-Doctoral Research Associate will work on using epidemiological methods to understand the interplay of factors leading to ILD causation of Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Australasian Interstitial Lung Disease Registry (AILDR) cohort will be used to investigate environmental exposures, including air pollution, and social determinants in ILD and gene-environment interactions, and related projects.  

The Central Clinical School (CCS) supports a wide range of teaching activities for Medicine with dedicated staff supporting each year group. The CCS staff co-ordinate all aspects of teaching, medical placements and electives in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and its associated partners. Located in Camperdown, RPA is the main teaching hospital of the CCS. It is an institution with a rich heritage in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in Australia.

At the Sydney School of Public Health we are passionate about research that creates knowledge and fosters innovation to improve population health. Our research is evidence-based, relevant and impactful, and focuses on new discovery as well as translating existing knowledge into improved healthcare outcomes. Continuing a century as the leading public health research institution in Australia, our research aims to challenge the status quo and advance rigorous methods to improve health, well-being and fairness in Australia and overseas.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• work closely with the research team at the Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis (CRE-PF), including the AILDR Manager
• update and validate existing and new predictive statistical models of air pollution, and related environmental exposures
• develop, maintain and link geographic datasets on environmental and social health determinants to the ILD registry
• lead analyses to understand environmental and social factors in ILD causation of Pulmonary Fibrosis, among other outcomes, including the role of gene interactions
• maintain quality, standards and excellence in all research activities and outputs
• coordinate activities with other academic staff within the team
• provide mentorship and supervision of junior staff and higher degree research students
• work with the CRE leaders, collaborators and stakeholders to plan analyses and coordinate activities efficiently

About you

• Hold a PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, or related disciplines with a strong quantitative focus within a health context
• Demonstrated proficiency and ability to work independently on statistical analyses in R (preferably, but not essential), SAS or Stata, in a way that is consistent and reproducible
• Demonstrated high level skills and proficiency in spatial data management and analyses, including geographic information system software (experience with Python is preferable, but not essential)
• Demonstrated sound knowledge of epidemiological principles, practices and study designs   
• Excellent academic writing skills, as evidenced by experience leading the writing of publications and research protocols
• Excellent oral communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across a range of media and forums
• Ability to work with accuracy, attention to detail and in a highly organised way, and manage competing demands and strict deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills, including using initiative and exercising sound judgement when prioritising workload
• Excellent teamwork skills, including the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, being collegial and exercising sound judgement in resolving issues that may arise.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. 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 include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through 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 LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

All applications must (include a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) as per the details mentioned in the advert, can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. 

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, 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 support filling out this application, please contact Faiza Khan, Recruitment Operations, by email to Faiza.khan@sydney.edu.au .

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close