Postdoctoral Research Associate - School of Medical Sciences

University of Sydney; Australia; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Medical Sciences. This full-time fixed-term role offers a base salary starting from AUD 117,936 plus 17% employer superannuation, with duties spanning independent and collaborative research under supervision.

You will mentor students, advance knowledge through original research, and contribute to strategic priorities while collaborating with colleagues and partners across the faculty.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or PhD in a relevant field.
• Develop networks with academic, industry and professional partners or stakeholders.
• Strong research, planning and organisational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presentations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research as part of a team.
• Develop and refine independent research skills under supervision of senior staff.
• Provide informal mentoring and advice to students in your discipline.
• Carry out administrative tasks and contribute to meetings within the Faculty.
• Support the University's strategic priorities and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Organisational skills

Computer literacy

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

Full time, fixed term until March 2029 Exciting opportunity to be a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Professor Margaret Sunde Base Salary starting from $117,936 + 17% superannuation

The School of Medical Sciences is recognised as one of the leading centres for medical science education in the world. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of medical scientists who will be leading members of the medical research community with an innovative integrated curriculum. Our team of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy across a range of therapeutic areas. We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to the research agenda of the School through independent and collaborative research. You will apply and develop your expertise to advance knowledge within your discipline, conduct original research and scholarly activities, and further develop your research profile while working under broad supervision. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with academic colleagues and research partners, provide informal mentoring and advice to students, and contribute to the broader academic activities and strategic priorities of the School and Faculty.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• conduct research and scholarly or professional activities independently or as part of a team, contributing to knowledge within your discipline
• develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff
• provide informal mentoring and advice to students within your discipline
• carry out administrative tasks and contribute to Faculty and School meetings
• contribute to a positive workplace culture that values diversity of thought, collaboration, excellence and the achievement of outcomes
• support and contribute to the University’s and Faculty’s strategic priorities
• undertake other duties and contribute to projects appropriate to the classification level

About you

• doctorate or PhD in a relevant field
• demonstrated understanding of the relevant subject matter and experience conducting original research and/or scholarly activities
• a developing research profile within your discipline or area of expertise
• experience developing networks with academic, industry and professional partners or stakeholders
• strong research, planning and organisational skills
• effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver presentations
• computer literacy
• the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

• Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks 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.

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 LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

© The University of Sydney

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

Applications Close Wednesday 11 November 2026 11:59 PM

Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

The University of Sydney may conduct routine pre-employment checks before an appointment is made.

Want to know more about working at the University of Sydney? https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us.html