Postdoctoral Research Fellow in qualitative policy research (usyd)

Job Description

• Full-time, fixed-term contract for 5 years 

• A chance to be a part of a high-performing team delivering research outcomes which impact national policy - The Australian Research Council Laureate Project on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and psychosocial disability

• Base Salary starting from $105, 350 + 17% superannuation 

About the opportunity

The Faculty of Health Sciences is the largest health sciences faculty in Australia, consisting of seven disciplines, five research themes (plus 3 cross-cutting themes), and four research centres. The School of Health Sciences is known for world-leading health sciences education and research. Our research ranks 'well above world class' (Excellence in Research for Australia level 5) and we rank 33rd in the world for health (T.H.E. World University Rankings 2015/16).

The university is seeking to employ a Level A Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Qualitative Policy Research to join the newly appointed research team conducting work within the Australian Research Council Laureate funded project.

The Laureate project aims to address serious deficits in the operation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for one of its largest participant groups: people with severe mental illness, which is termed psychosocial disability by the NDIS. This project will work in partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency, who run the NDIS, to develop new data and evidence on scheme outcomes, cost-effectiveness and participant experiences to develop an appropriate and implementable program logic to improve supports for this group. Expected outcomes will be scheme reform by implementing a new framework of supports for psychosocial disability and data to improve the operation of national policy for this group more broadly.

This should provide significant benefits for the cost-effective operation of the NDIS and build research capacity in disability policy through supporting three new postdoctoral research fellow positions and three new PhD students. The project is supported by a budget to enable data collection across Australia, travel to conferences and international institutions, open-access publications and dissemination events. The project is supported by administrative staff, the Centre manager and a national project advisory group, which includes a significant representation of people with lived experience of disability.

The incumbent will primarily conduct work within a five-year Australian Research Council Laureate Project, under the supervision of Professor Jen Smith-Merry, within the Sydney School of Health Sciences located in the Susan Wakil Building on the Camperdown campus. You will work independently and as part of a high performing team by applying your existing research and project management skills and building new expertise in applied disability policy research to successfully complete the Laureate project.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• International travel for collaboration and conference participation

• complex ethics, data access approval processes and data management.

• stakeholder engagement (government and non-government organisations and consumer groups)

• preparation of results, visualisation and reporting of research to various audiences

• development and participation in annual dissemination events

• conduct research or scholarly activity (either independently or as part of a team)

• conduct interviews (in person and remote) and other relevant qualitative data collection with people with mental illness, policy makers and other stakeholders

• analysis of qualitative data via relevant methods

• develop and refine research skills and independent research under the supervision of more senior academic staff within the School (with an increasing degree of autonomy).

About you:

Essential –

• PhD in health or social policy, or a related social science discipline

• experience in policy-related research, or in applying research to policy-related questions in Australia or relevant settings internationally

• proven experience using a variety of qualitative research methods and analytical techniques such as discourse analysis, interviewing

• experience in research in fields related to disability, mental health and/or inequity

• demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant areas

• an interest in developing your capacity in disability and/or mental health policy-related research

• ability to critically consider inequity in the context of health and social care services or policy

• ability to adapt to a new research environment and develop your own program of research within the overall project

• ability to work in a multidisciplinary academic team, and independently as required

• excellent oral and written communication skills

• high-level planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and set and meet deadlines.

Desirable –

• Experience in conducting qualitative research with people with mental illness

• experience working with external stakeholders (government and non-government organisations)

• experience in using critical theoretical approaches to analysis

• experience in research project management and ethics applications

• personal experience or understanding of disability and/or mental ill-health.

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.

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.

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 Police Check and 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 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

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

Please ensure your application includes a detailed cover letter addressing the selection criteria listed in the ‘About you” section.

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. For a discussion of the project and its aims please contact Jen Smith-Merry, Project lead by email to Jennifer.smith-merry@sydney.edu.au

Please note that the University shutdown period is from Friday 22nd December 2023 to Monday 8th January 2024. Applications and queries will be reviewed once we return from leave.

© 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