• 3- full time, 3 year fixed term contracts available with possibility of extension
• A unique opportunity to address the challenges of providing evidence-based health care to people with neurological communication disorders
• Base Salary ranging from $105, 350-$140, 586 + 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, we are seeking academics who are passionate about improving health outcomes and/or health equity in the local, national and global communities, who are committed to research, and are a team player ready to contribute across the broad field of academic activities.

The University is seeking three Postdoctoral Research Fellows to contribute to the world leading work of the Acquired Brain Injury Communication Lab, in School of Health Sciences at the state-of-the-art Susan Wakil Health Building in Sydney within the Camperdown Campus at the state-of-the-art Susan Wakil Health Building. These roles offer a unique opportunity to address the challenges of providing evidence-based health care to people with neurological communication disorders. The Lab requires one Fellow to specialise in the application of virtual reality to rehabilitate communication disorders, one will lead a clinical trial of communication partner training which will be delivered via an innovative digital health platform, and one Fellow will focus on the use of AI and other digital health advances in the field of speech pathology.

The incumbent will be working under the supervision of Professor Leanne Togher as well as her research team. Professor Togher's work focuses on improving the lives of people with acquired brain injury by helping restore their communication following their injury. She leads the Acquired Brain Injury Communication Lab at The University of Sydney. She has developed new communication treatment approaches to help the communication of people with brain injury, as well as developing communication training programs for families, carers, service providers and community agencies. Treatment resources she has developed improve everyday communication for people with brain injury and their families, and include TBI Express, TBIconneCT and Improving First Impressions Social Skills Training. The Social Brain Toolkit, which comprises interact-ABI-lity, social-ABI-lity and convers-ABI-lity was launched in July 2022. These treatments have been proven to be effective in NHMRC funded clinical trials and are now available for clinicians, people with brain injury, their families, friends, and carers/support workers worldwide.

Please note these positions are full time however part time working hours can be made available for those applicants who meet the criteria and request flexible working hours- please state this in your application.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Establish a research program, collaborate on research projects, seek and manage research funding, publish in reputable journals, utilize best practice research methodologies, and participate in project discussions
• supervise research students, recruit and manage employees, provide performance feedback and training to research assistants
• develop partnerships, demonstrate leadership through mentoring, engage in internal service roles and committees, perform administrative functions, provide support to colleagues, and uphold university values
• conduct a clinical research project based at the University of Sydney ABI Communication Lab (Camperdown Campus and/or Westmead Campus)
• present the outcomes of work at national and international conferences and publish in relevant quality journals
• collaborate and advise with the research team, external contractors, and other stakeholders to build and establish a data base, collaborate on other projects/tasks, I.e., codesign, developing technological solutions, trial and implementation, and translation.

About you

• PhD in the field of speech pathology, psychology, digital health, or allied health with a digital health or VR/AI background
• experience working with people with neurological communication disorders
• emerging research profile with evidence of publications in reputable refereed journals and presentations at conferences
• interest in digital health and technology for rehabilitation
• interest in implementation science
• clinical trials experience is desirable
• data analysis methods pertinent to survey and clinical research
• excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective collaborative working relationships
• excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• demonstrated ability to manage workflows, multiple complex projects, and meet deadlines
• emerging skills in writing competitive grant applications.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is 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 reasons for the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles 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 of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

Please ensure your cover letter is clear, concise, addressing the selection criteria and states the type of employment and skill in which you are apply.

To submit an application for this role please provide the following information:

A cover letter which includes a written response to the selection criteria (About you section) addressing your ability to meet the requirements outlined above within the context of the key responsibilities of the role (maximum 1000 words).

Your current CV or resume, including two referees.

Please ensure your cover letter is clear, concise, addressing the selection criteria and states the skill in which you are apply.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rachel Ann Yazigi , Recruitment Operations by email to rachel.yazigi@sydney.edu.au.

Copyright The University of Sydney

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

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

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Sunday 16 March 2025 11:59 PM