Postdoctoral Research Associate

Gdg On Campus | University Of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sydney invites applications for an outstanding Level A/B Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a large-scale, interdisciplinary program transforming low back pain care in Australia. Contribute to clinical trials, co-design with stakeholders, and disseminate findings.

The role focuses on two projects: Second Opinion to reduce unnecessary surgery and Early Pain Intervention for post-surgical care. Strong methodological and collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• A PhD in musculoskeletal pain or a closely related field.
• A clinical health qualification (e.g., physiotherapy, exercise physiology, or medicine).
• A strong working knowledge of and experience in clinical trial design and conduct.
• Strong research, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A developing network of academic, industry and professional partners and stakeholders.
• An interest in improving health services and translating research into clinical practice.
• Experience with implementation science, consumer co-design, health services research, and quantitative analysis would be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research, scholarly or professional activity, independently or as part of a team, contributing to discipline knowledge.
• Develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff (with an increasing degree of autonomy).
• Ensure quality, standards and excellence are maintained in any research activities and output; provide mentoring and advice to students.
• Carry out administrative tasks and contribute to faculty/school meetings.
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture valuing diversity, collaboration and outcomes.
• Interact professionally with students, staff and University community.
• Contribute to the University's strategic agenda and to Faculty/School/Portfolio objectives.
• Undertake other duties and contribute to projects within the classification level as required.

Skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Clinical trial awareness

Networking

Policy/implementation interest

Education

PhD in musculoskeletal pain or related field

Job description

• Full-time fixed term contract for 2 years

• Full-time fixed term contract for 2 years
• Join a large-scale, interdisciplinary research program
• Base Salary ranging from $** 117,936- **** $157,381 **** + 17% superannuation**

About the opportunity

The Sydney School of Health Sciences is in a period of exciting and significant investment by the Faculty of Medicine and Health. In order to deliver on the University's ambitious strategic plan, the University is seeking academics who are passionate about improving health outcomes and/or health equity in the local, national and global communities, who are committed to teaching and research, and area team player ready to contribute across the broad field of academic activities.

We are seeking an outstanding Level A/ B Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a large-scale, interdisciplinary research program aimed at transforming the way low back pain is managed across Australia.

The program will co-design and evaluate three innovative models of care to improve access to evidence-based care for people with low back pain. The successful applicant will work primarily on two projects:

Second Opinion Program: Evaluating a model designed to reduce unnecessary lumbar spine surgery and improve return-to-work outcomes for injured workers.

Early Pain Intervention: Evaluating a physiotherapist-led model of early assessment and care coordination for people experiencing persistent pain following lumbar spine surgery.

The successful applicant will contribute to the design and conduct of clinical trials, consumer and stakeholder co-design, implementation activities, data analysis, and dissemination of research findings. There will be opportunities to work closely with clinicians, consumers, researchers and health system stakeholders and to contribute to high-impact publications, presentations and future grant applications.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct research, scholarly or professional activity, independently or as part of a team, contributing to discipline knowledge
• Develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff (with an increasing degree of autonomy)
• Ensures quality, standards and excellence are maintained in any research activities and output. Provide informal mentoring and advice to students within discipline (where appropriate)
• Carry out administrative tasks and contribute to faculty/school meetings
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture in which diversity of thought, contribution, collaboration, excellence and achieving outcomes are valued and enabled
• Interacts with students, staff and other members of the University community in a professional, collegial and respectful manner
• Maintains an understanding of the University's strategic agenda and contributes to furthering that agenda
• Contributes to the strategic direction of the Faculty/School/Portfolio as articulated through the Faculty/School/Portfolio's Strategic Plan/s or equivalent
• Undertake other duties and contribute to projects appropriate within the classification level as required.

About you

• A PhD in musculoskeletal pain or a closely related field
• A clinical health qualification, such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology, or medicine
• A strong working knowledge of and experience in clinical trial design and conduct
• Strong research, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• A developing network of academic, industry and professional partners and stakeholders
• An interest in improving health services and translating research into clinical practice
• Experience with implementation science, consumer co-design, health services research, and quantitative analysis would be highly regarded.

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.

Applications Close

Sunday 04 October 2026 11:59 PM