USYD Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sociology

• Work with Dr Leah Williams Veazey and the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies team to generate foundational knowledge about healthcare worker migration to and from Australia
• Part-time (0.5FTE) for 1 year
• Academic Level A, Base salary $109,301 (pro rata) + 17% superannuation
• Start May 2025

About the opportunity

The Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies (SCHS) is a Flagship Centre for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at The University of Sydney, housing leading humanities and social science scholars working across various spheres of health and wellbeing. Our work in the Centre spans the key research themes of 1) Politics and Economies of Health and Wellbeing; 2) Race, Ethnicity and the Biohumanities; 3) Embodying the Anthropocene; 4) Work, Education and Welfare; 5) The Social Life of Food and Nourishment; and 6) Migration, Im/mobility and Belonging.

The School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS) at The University of Sydney is a leading social science environment, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research. The School comprises the disciplines of Sociology and Criminology, Anthropology, Government and International Relations, and Political Economy.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus. This role will work under the guidance of Dr Leah Wiliams Veazey, alongside a dynamic team of social science researchers.

The successful candidate with contribute to a growing program of research about migration, im/mobility and belonging. In particular, they will make critical contributions to an Australian Research Council Fellowship entitled ‘Future-proofing Australia’s Care Economy: A Relational Mobilities Approach’. This project aims to generate a combination of high-quality peer-reviewed publications and translational outputs to inform policy and practice.

Applicants should have a background in a relevant discipline such as (but not limited to) sociology, geography, social policy, or anthropology. More than specialisation in a particular discipline or sub-field, we are looking for demonstrated potential for scholarly excellence and collaboration. Experience undertaking qualitative research on sensitive topics is essential, as are highly developed skills in writing, qualitative data analysis and project management, and the ability to build and maintain generative relationships with diverse stakeholders. Skills in quantitative data analysis, and experience in engaging policymakers in research processes are desirable but not essential.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake qualitative fieldwork (local and interstate), including conducting in-depth interviews or focus groups with healthcare workers with experience or aspirations of migration, members of their families and communities, and industry stakeholders
• lead or contribute to the analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data
• lead or contribute to co-authored academic articles with members of the research team
• lead or contribute to the dissemination of research findings to policymakers and members of the public
• take responsibility (under the supervision of Dr Leah Williams Veazey) for the day-to-day logistics of carrying out research, including participant recruitment
• develop ethics submissions and satisfy reporting requirements
• further the vision and objectives of the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

About you

• a PhD in sociology, geography, social policy, or anthropology or a closely related discipline
• advanced qualitative research skills and experience, including skills and experience analysing qualitative data
• experience undertaking sensitive research
• experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• an emerging research profile evidenced by high-quality peer-reviewed research
• demonstrated project management experience
• skills and experience analysing quantitative data (desirable but not essential)
• skills and experience engaging policymakers in research processes (desirable but not essential)
• demonstrated capacity for engagement with social science/sociological concepts and theory
• demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• sound written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills suitable to collaborating in an academic context.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

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.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by 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) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

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.  

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 Lena Jiang, Recruitment Operations by email to lena.jiang@sydney.edu.au.