Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Centre for Continuing Education; Sydney; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney invites applications for a Full Time 12-month fixed term Research Fellow to study the role of the immune system in mental health among young people.

You will analyse clinical, biological and behavioural data within a collaborative team, help design new studies, prepare reports and manuscripts, and contribute to grant applications within an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• PhD in an immune science related field or neuroscience.
• Experience with quantitative methods in immune research.
• Experience in clinical research with strong data analytic skills.
• Ability to build relationships with clinicians and other stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and data management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• undertake analysis of clinical, biological, and behavioural data within a team.
• assist design and coordination of new study protocols collecting clinical, biological, and behavioural data.
• assist with the preparation of project reports, conference presentations, and journal manuscripts (including data management/preparation, statistical analysis, visualisation, and writing)
• assist with the preparation of grant and fellowship applications (institutional, national, and/or international schemes)

Skills

Quantitative methods

Clinical research

Data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Interpersonal communication

Education

PhD in immune science or related field (e.g., neuroscience)

Job description

Full Time 12-month fixed term role for a dedicated Research Fellow

Opportunity to join the Brain and Mind Centre to study the role of the immune system in mental health problems among young people

Base Salary $132,533 - $157,381 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Brain and Mind Centre's Youth Mental Health and Technology team conduct clinical research across several streams that explore biological and behavioural factors influencing the onset, course, and response to treatment in young people with emerging mental disorders. Extensive collaborations with clinicians, data scientists, geneticists, bioinformaticians, health service providers, and philanthropic and research organisations enable us to quickly and effectively translate our research findings into health system innovations, facilitating continuous improvements to mental health services for the benefit of young people in Australia.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake analysis of clinical, biological, and behavioural data and work as part of a collaborative team working at the intersection of the immune system and mental health to guide better assessment, classification, and intervention in young people with emerging mental disorders
• assist with the design and high-level coordination of new study protocols collecting clinical, biological, and behavioural data as part of immune-related mental health research projects
• assist with the preparation of project reports, conference presentations, and journal manuscripts (including data management/preparation, statistical analysis, visualisation, and writing)
• assist with the preparation of grant and fellowship applications (institutional, national, and/or international schemes)

About you

• a PhD in an academic field relevant to immune science or other higher professional qualifications in related fields (e.g., neuroscience)
• experience in quantitative methods relevant to immune science
• experience in clinical research with strong data analytic skills with an interest in training in the application of analytic techniques to longitudinal or large mental health data sets or biobanks
• a strong applied research orientation with a proven ability to build successful working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., clinicians, service providers), both internal and external
• strong analytical skills and a methodical approach to data management and analysis
• strong interpersonal and communication skills

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 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 Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

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 that 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.

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 Friday 25 September 2026 11:59 PM