Postdoctoral Research Fellow - First Nations Health

University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 114,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

University of Queensland in Brisbane invites a highly motivated postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research team. This fixed‑term role (up to 2 years) focuses on qualitative, community‑engaged research to advance equity in cancer outcomes and wellbeing for First Nations peoples.

Responsibilities include leading qualitative studies, participant recruitment, data analysis, and dissemination through reports, publications, and grant applications.

Qualifications

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research design, participant recruitment, data collection and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience in participatory, co-design or community-engaged research approaches, or the capacity to develop this experience.
• Evidence of contributing to research outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports or other scholarly dissemination.

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative and participatory research activities, including participant recruitment and retention, interviews, longitudinal data collection, ethics and governance processes, research data management, qualitative analysis and interpretation of findings to support project outcomes.
• Prepare research reports, scholarly publications, conference presentations, dissemination materials, and contribute to competitive research funding applications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with researchers, research partners, services and communities.
• Proven organisational and project management skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines in a dynamic research environment.

Skills

Qualitative research design

Participant recruitment

Data collection

Qualitative data analysis

Participatory/co-design research

Interpersonal communication

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

• First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research team within the School of Public Health

• Part-time (0.8 FTE minimum) or full-time (1.0 FTE), fixed-term position for up to 2 years.

• Base salary will be in the range $85,373 to $113,660 + 17% super (Academic Level A).

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Based at our Herston Campus

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, research-focused qualitative postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research team. Working within a collaborative, supportive and community-driven research environment, you will contribute to innovative research that seeks to achieve equity in cancer outcomes and strengthen wellbeing across the life course for First Nations peoples. Working on an NHMRC–CIHR Healthy Cities Implementation Science Grant project, you will help establish a new research initiative, build meaningful stakeholder relationships, and contribute to research with real-world impact.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct qualitative and participatory research activities, including participant recruitment and retention, interviews, longitudinal data collection, ethics and governance processes, research data management, qualitative analysis, and interpretation of findings to support project outcomes.
• Prepare research reports, scholarly publications, conference presentations, dissemination materials, and contribute to competitive research funding applications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with researchers, research partners, services and communities.
• Proven organisational and project management skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines in a dynamic research environment.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

About You

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline, which may include public health, psychology, statistics or another field that supports the objectives of the research program.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research design, participant recruitment, data collection and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience in participatory, co-design or community-engaged research approaches, or the demonstrated capacity to develop this experience.
• Evidence of contributing to research outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports or other forms of scholarly dissemination.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer-sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We’re dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close Tuesday 10th November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-70064). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 18th November 2026.