• Part-time or full-time/fixed term contract for three years-with possible extension
• Be a part of the PRSP funded Scale Up and Implementation Research Program
• Base Salary starting from $113,184 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Prevention Research Collaboration (PRC) is a world-leading research group in the School of Public Health, at the University of Sydney and has specialised expertise in population-wide prevention and translational research. In particular, PRC is engaged in generating and disseminating new knowledge about the implementation and evaluation of population-wide prevention programs. The PRC research portfolio includes public health priority topics, such as physical activity, public health nutrition, obesity, and tobacco prevention.

To improve overall population health, programs that have been proven to work in prevention need to be scaled up to reach larger populations. The NSW Health Prevention Research Support Program aims to support policymakers' understanding of scale-up methods, barriers and facilitators to scale-up, and new approaches to implementation and evaluation.

A unique opportunity is available for an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop an implementation and evaluation track record that will help them prepare for a career in policy- and practice-informing work in chronic disease prevention.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Undertake research and evaluation to assess implementation and scale-up of prevention interventions and policies; identify research priorities to build practical knowledge to inform implementation and scale-up of programs and policies to enhance population health and equity outcomes
• serve as a key member of the PRC Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP) research team and support the development and strengthening of the PRSP implementation and scale-up research plans
• work collaboratively with PRC researchers and stakeholders to- develop research protocols, synthesise literature evidence, describe the application of research data and findings for policy and practice, prepare grant proposals in physical activity, obesity prevention or tobacco control and prevention as required, and serve as expert and mentor for the domain of scaling up of interventions
• facilitate and contribute to strengthening the capacity of project partners and the public health workforce to use implementation and scale up research and evaluation tools
• lead and contribute to a range of academic publications and lead the design and/or implementation and evaluation of stand-alone research projects as appropriate
• provide technical advice to NSW Health (NSW Ministry of Health, Pillars and Local Health Districts) and a range of other policy and practice stakeholders, including non-Government Organisations, Government agencies, health sector, and industry groups
• undertake teaching relevant to the Sydney School of Public Health as required.

About you

• PhD in public health, with strong program evaluation skills, especially in implementation or scale up research or equivalent
• demonstrated experience in conducting implementation and/or scale up research or evaluation
• strong knowledge of implementation and scale up concepts and frameworks, including practical (pragmatic) efforts to support scale up of chronic disease prevention programs and policies
• research experience in the fields of the prevention of chronic disease risk factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, tobacco use, and unhealthy diet
• experience in quantitative research and evaluation of public health and health promotion, and sound understanding the of qualitative and mixed-methods research
• demonstrated experience in organising and delivering capacity-building training for the public health workforce regarding scaled-up program evaluations and health promotion
• excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce academic publications, reports, and presentations about data and complex issues, and the ability to communicate with government and non-government stakeholders
• experience translating research evidence for public health action and policy
• evidence of securing grants for research funding.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.
Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

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.

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.

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Applications Close

Monday 26 September 2022 11:59 PM