UNSW
Senior Research Fellow -Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute
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Senior Research Fellow -Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute
Job Opportunity – Senior Research Fellow (Levels C/D)
Position: Senior Research Fellow – Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program Organization: The Kirby Institute @ UNSW Sydney Location: Kensington, Sydney, NSW (On-site/remote consulting may be considered) Employment Type: Full-time (35 hrs/week) Duration: 3 years fixed-term Salary: AUD $155,000–$185,000 p/a (Level C/D) + 17% superannuation + leave loading Reference: Job No: 540871 Apply by: Monday, 27 July 2026, 11:30 PM (AEST)
About The Kirby Institute
The Kirby Institute is a global leader in infectious disease research, dedicated to eliminating health inequities by developing evidence-based solutions for marginalised populations. Our work spans from cutting-edge HIV, hepatitis, and drug user health research to community-driven interventions—translating science into real-world impact.
With a focus on epidemiology, clinical trials, and public health, we partner with health services, governments, and Indigenous communities to deliver sustainable outcomes.
For full impact, visit: https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au
Position Summary
As a Senior Research Fellow (Level C or D) within the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, you will lead high-impact research to advance detection, prevention, and treatment strategies for viral hepatitis and drug use-related health harms. Reporting to the Deputy Program Head, your role will encompass:
- Study Design & Leadership: Lead epidemiological studies, clinical effectiveness research, and trials to address critical gaps in viral hepatitis and drug user health.
- Methodological Expertise: Apply rigorous biostatistical, implementation science, and epidemiological methods using tools like R, Stata, SAS, or Python.
- Grants & Funding: Drive competitive grant applications to secure national and international research funding.
- Research Translation: Contribute to policy, clinical practice, and public health implementation, including through partnerships with First Nations communities, correctional health, and harm reduction programs.
- Collaboration & Mentorship: Build multidisciplinary teams and mentor research staff and HDR students at both national and international levels.
Differences Between Levels C & D
| Key Focus | Level C | Level D |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scope | Lead single projects, establish a national research profile. | Oversee entire programs, ensure multinational collaboration, and scale research impact globally. |
| Funding Strategy | Contribute to mid-sized grant applications. | Lead high-budget, competitive funding initiatives. |
| Translation & Influence | Translate findings into national policy guidance. | Shape high-level public health strategies and clinical guidelines. |
| Leadership | Supervise younger researchers. | Develop and inspire leadership teams across research and Extension activities. |
Key Responsibilities
Core Tasks (All Levels)
- Design and execute high-quality, ethical research aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Australian government priorities.
- Publish research in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., The Lancet, BMJ Open, AIDS), ensuring openness and dissemination.
- Engage with policy-makers, clinicians, and community stakeholders to disseminate findings and inform action.
- Participate in funding applications, writing sections and defending proposals to external reviewers.
- Monitor institutional research standards, contributing to grant reporting, ethical compliance, and knowledge translation activities.
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Level C-Specific
✔ Conduct nationally significant independent research (with recognition in Australian medical/health science arenas). ✔ Secure ** grants/competitive funding to support project sustainability**. ✔ Foster collaboration with health services, Indigenous led researchers, and prominent research organisations. ✔ Mentor early-to-mid career academics and postgraduate students in research practices.
Level D-Specific
✔ Demonstrate an international research portfolio, with an emphasis on low-/middle-income context comparisons. ✔ Lead large-scale, multi-centre trials (e.g., pan-Australian, Asia-Pacific networks) spanning viral hepatitis, HIV, and drug use. ✔ Integrate implementation research—e.g., testing effectiveness of telemedicine or decriminalisation policy. ✔ Provide strategic direction for the entire Viral Hepatitis Program and related initiatives at the Kirby Institute. ✔ Forge partnerships with global collaborators (e.g., WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) to scale impacts.
Essential Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
✅ PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, infectious diseases (or a related discipline). ✅ Minimum 2–4 years post-doctoral experience (Level D requires additional 5+ years of leadership track). ✅ Evidence of high-calibre research outputs, including:
- Publications in top-tier journals (H-index: Level D prioritises ≥15; Level C ≥10).
- Grants secured (AUD 500K+ per grant cycle, and substantial cog grants for Level D). ✅ Technical skills: Proficient in advanced statistical analytics using R, Stata, SAS, or Python for large datasets (e.g., NHMD, AIHW). Familiarity with epidemiological software (e.g., EpiInfo, Surviving Sepsis) is advantageous.
Subject-Matter Expertise
- Core knowledge of:
- Viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV—diagnostics, treatment access, co-infection with HIV/HBV).
- HIV epidemiology and harm reduction.
- Social determinants of health, particularly within Indigenous Australian, homelessness, or prison contexts.
- Critical thinking: Capacity to translate complex results into accessible policy recommendations for diverse beneficiary groups.
Preferred (iso. Indigenous Engagement & Workforce Priorities)
🔹 Experience with **correctional **or queers health frameworks. 🔹 Prior involvement with community research design and consultative processes (e.g., reference group models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects). 🔹 Trauma-informed or recovery-oriented care tools to address stigmatised populations. 🔹 Research governance knowledge compatible with National Statement on Ethical Conduct and First Nations protocols.
How to Succeed in This Role
Core Competencies
- Scientific Integrity: Commitment to open study protocols, data sharing, and review (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov).
- Stakeholder Management: Ability to bridge disciplinary gaps between public health, biomedical, and policy sectors.
- Innovation: Proactive in applying emerging methodologies (e.g., virtual study designs, machine learning).
- Resilience: Meet tight deadlines while maintaining ethical standards in sensitive research areas.
For Multidisciplinary Teams
Your role will involve interfacing with: ✔ Clinicians (GP checkpoints, hospital wards). ✔ Data analysts & programmers (collaborating with bioinformatics teams). ✔ Community representatives (inclusive co-design of harm reduction protocols). ✔ Ethics and compliance officers (ensuring adherence to National Ethics Advisory Initiatives). ✔ Everyday contributors in the National Centre for HIV Epidemiology and COVID and core Kirby clinical teams.
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Benefits
Professional Development & Wellbeing
- 17% Superannuation guarantee + leave loading.
- Flexible work arrangements for sustainable productivity.
- UNSW’s Denison Innovation Scholarships—$200K+ available/fellowships to augment your program.
- Exclusive member perks, including discounted fitness, culture passes, and professional development (LinkedIn Learning, conferences).
- Progressive HR: Parental leave, disability and mental health support networks, and educational funding for UNSW-accredited programs.
Work-Life Balance
- An additional 3 paid leave days during the December 1–31 period.
- Annual networking opportunities, including Kirby’s Global Health Week talks.
Commitment To Equity & Inclusion
UNSW actively fosters a diverse workforce and will: 🌍 Explore reasonable adjustments to access assessments for candidates with disabilities. 🌟 Support a maximum of 2–4 hours/week of flexible work for parental/carers. 💪 Progressively enhancing LGBTIQ+ and gender equity in the research pipeline.
Selected applicants receieve also:
- Wage parity oral promotions built into career progression.
- Mentoring schemes for Early & Mid-Career Researchers, co-financed by national bodies.
- Community-engagement stipends for equity-based study teams.
Application Criteria
Applicants must clearly demonstrate alignment with the below in their application resumé + cover statement:
- Research Evidence: How your study designs address priority gaps in the Kirby Program’s 5-year Protocol 2026.
- Impact: Document past evidence translation successes, e.g., hospital policy changes, public health strategy revisions.
- Collaboration: Experience working with non-academic partners such as:
- Government (e.g., DoHA), NHMRC, or WHO Collaborating Centre synergy.
- Community-led research initiatives, detached health teams, or peer worker models.
- Leading Changes: For Level D, explain your track record of acceleration and sustainability—e.g., leveraging marked uptake of bleeding services via clinical trials.
Applicants failing to address key criteria in the submission will receive no interview.
Application Process
How To Apply
Submit a single combined file (max. 8MB PDF or Word) via the official UNSW Careers Portal. Include:
- A curriculum vitae under 5 pages (with contact details).
- A one-page document that:
- Maps objectives directly to level roles (C/D responsibilities to corresponding metrics). -acité body’s academic priorities (see Inclusion guidelines link here).
Application Closing: Monday 27 July 2026, 11:30 PM (AEST)
Do not email application submissions directly to the listed contact. For technical inquiries on submission, email: kirby institute hriz@unsw.edu.au.
Please maintain focus on defensible CSR2 awards during interview. Ensure your awards are grounded in research that trained through Achology (e.g. Anecdotes: KRANC and Harvey et rightful Healthcare).
Contact
For sector-specific questions: Aarti Baks: Talent Acquisition Associate 📧 a.aarti@unsw.edu.au 📞 Additional HR support via: UNSW Diversity Brochures.
Bonus: This role empowers proactive researchers to shape Australia’s response to HBV/HCV by following frameworks from NHMRC and CDC reporting. Be sure to draw on practical examples of stratification across history, drug use transitions, and barriers to care.
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