School of Psychology / Academic Operations
Faculty of Science
Reference no. 342/0218F

• Research position focused in University of Sydney Quality of Life Office
• Full-time, 12 Months Fixed-Term, with a possible extension
• Academic Level A or B, Base Salary: $71,409 p.a. - $102,013 p.a. plus leave loading and a generous employer’s contribution to superannuation.

About the opportunity 

Applications are invited for a Quality of Life Research Associate/Fellow (Level A or B) to join our research team working on Quality of Life Research, School of Psychology, at the University of Sydney. The Research Associate / Fellow will contribute to achieving deliverables for the Cancer Australia Technical Service and provides research and administrative support to the Director and other senior academic staff of the Quality of Life Office to support their research and teaching activities and requirements.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our team at the University of Sydney’s Quality of Life (QOL) Office as a Quality Of Life Research Associate. Ideally, applicants will hold a Honours, Masters or PhD degree in psychology, public health or health-related science and/or have prior experience in research. They will demonstrate a strong commitment to quality and attention to detail, initiative to solve problems and improve processes, and ability to work efficiently both independently and in teams. 

The QOL Research Associate/Fellow will engage in scholarly, research and professional activities appropriate to the activities of the QOL Office. The QOL Office conducts educational and research activities about health-related QOL and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The QOL Office has two main activity streams: 1) the Cancer Australia QOL Services, i.e. expert advice and support services relating to the inclusion of in cancer clinical trials led by the 13 Australian Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CCTGs); 2) independent QOL/PRO research. The QOL Office is directed by the Cancer Australia Chair in Cancer Quality of Life (the QOL Chair). Other staff members of the QOL Office include the Deputy Director (Senior Research Fellow), a Research Administration Officer and, depending on funding and need, research staff. The QOL Office is co-located with the Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), within the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, at the University of Sydney. Our offices are on level 6 of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance in recruiting talent aligned to these values in the pursuit of research excellence and are seeking to recruit for a Research Associate/Fellow role within the Institute of School of Psychology, who will be responsible to:

• developing evidence-based QOL research resources and educational materials
• conducting QOL/PRO training workshops and other educational activities and events
• providing direct advice about QOL/PROs to CCTG staff and members
• conducting independent QOL/PRO research.

S/he will also undertake administration tasks primarily relating to staff member’s activities at the University, and other activities as determined by the Director of the QOL Office.

Specific activities in relation to Cancer Australia QOL Services will include:

• Providing high quality, expert advice, training and technical support services relating to the inclusion of QOL and PRO measures into industry-independent cancer clinical trials to staff and members of the 13 CCTGs;
• Liaising with CCTG members and international QOL/PRO researchers about project concepts, plans and findings;
• Planning, organising and giving QOL/PRO-related presentations, seminars and workshops for CCTG staff and members.

Specific activities in relation to independent research will include:

• Developing grant proposals and prepare funding applications;
• Preparing submissions and reports for ethics committees and funding bodies;
• Facilitating communication/co-ordination with collaborators via email, teleconference and meetings;
• Undertaking data preparation, management and analysis;
• Presenting, publishing and disseminating results.

We are looking for a Quality of Life Research Associate/Fellow with:

• An honours or postgraduate degree in a relevant field or PhD in a relevant field or equivalent research experience
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to research, scholarship or teaching, either independently or as part of a team
• Demonstrated research track record, including ability to publish scholarly papers and research outcomes
• Experience with teaching activities such as student supervision, tutoring, or lectures/workshops
• Experience writing research documents, e.g. planning meetings, drafting agendas, writing minutes,study protocols, ethics applications, grant applications
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and work co-operatively with others.

About us

Since our inception 160 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to diversity and inclusion, and underpin our long-term strategy for growth. We’re Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. Across our campuses, we employ over 6000 academic and non-academic staff who support over 60,000 students.

We are undergoing significant transformative change which brings opportunity for innovation, progressive thinking, breaking with convention, challenging the status quo, and improving the world around us.

For more information on the position and University, please view the candidate information pack available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website.  Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number 342/0218F to apply.

Closing date: Closing date: 11:30pm 22 March 2018 (Sydney Time)

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. 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.

If we think your skills are needed in other areas of the University, we will be sure to contact you about other opportunities.

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