Postdoctoral Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Level A or B) in Sociology

• Opportunity to work on a unique and cutting-edge sociological research program in Professor Alex Broom’s team
• Work on the sociology of health, illness and wellbeing, including undertaking critical analysis of emerging global infectious diseases threats
• Full time fixed term 5 years, offering a base salary of $96K - $128Kp.a. (depending on level A/B status), plus leave loading and generous employer’s contribution to superannuation

About the opportunity 

The School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney is home to the key social science disciplines, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research. The School comprises the departments of Anthropology, Government and International Relations, Political Economy, Sociology and Social Policy, and Peace and Conflict Studies. SSPS offers innovative degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels that attract the very best students from Australia and overseas. SSPS is the focus for the strategic development of the social sciences at Sydney with a view to becoming Australia’s leading school for research and teaching in the area.

Eligible applicants are invited to apply for the position of Level A Postdoctoral Research Associate (Sociology) or Level B Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Sociology) (Level B is equivalent to North American ‘Assistant Professor’ or UK Lecturer), at the Department of Sociology and Social Policy, School of Social and Political Sciences. This will initially be for a period of 5 years. The Research Fellow will work directly with Professor Alex Broom, on a wide-ranging program of research centred on the social, political and economic dimensions of health, including emerging infectious diseases ‘threats’.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of social scientists at the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies (SCHS) at the School of Social and Political Sciences and which is directed by Professor Alex Broom, with Deputy Directorship from Dr Katherine Kenny and Dr Nadine Ehlers. They will work directly with Professor Alex Broom, Centre members and other Investigators, and will in turn have opportunities to contribute to their current wide-ranging work across many areas of health, illness and wellbeing. The current key research themes of the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies are as follows:     

1. Politics and Economies of Health and Wellbeing
2. Race, Ethnicity and the Biohumanities
3. Human-Microbial and Multispecies Relations
4. Work, Education and Welfare

Theme leaders of the Centre include: Alex Broom, Lisa Adkins, Katie Kenny, Nadine Ehlers, Danielle Celermajer, Anthony Ryan Hatch, Amade M’charek, Anne Pollock, Assa Doron, Gaby Ramia, Myra Hamilton and Michelle Peterie. 

The broader purpose of this position is to conduct high quality sociological research in line with the Centre priorities and themes, publish in high impact peer-reviewed journals (and similar outlets), and impact on policy and practice in various fields of interest to the team.

Among other activities, the candidate will play a central role in supporting the social science activities of the ARC-Industrial Transformation Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) (2020-2025), of which Professor Broom is a Chief Investigator. This will specifically involve furthering the critical social science of antimicrobial resistance, and proposed ‘solutions’, across contexts and communities. It is not necessary for the candidate to have experience in AMR or infectious diseases or health sociology specifically. The priority is sociological expertise and capacity to contribute to the Centre’s activities. 

The successful candidate may have a background in various areas of sociology or social science, including but not limited to, health sociology, social studies of science, social and political theory, gender studies, sociology of the body/emotions, sociology of the family and so on. The preference is for scholarly excellence (and potential) in sociology or social science, rather than specialisation in a particular sub-field. A solid understanding of, and facility with, social theory, demonstrated project management experience, and skills in qualitative research with the capacity to do fieldwork are essential.

In this role, you will be undertaking the following activities:

• writing, leading and co-publishing academic papers with members of the broader team;
• undertaking project development and qualitative fieldwork,
• taking responsibility, under the supervision of Professor Broom, for carrying out a large multi-year, multi-site program of research focused on the critical sociological analysis of AMR;
• leading qualitative data analysis including submission of co-authored journal articles, across a mix of sociological and applied outlets;
• undertaking, supported by research associates, ethics submissions, amendments, and research governance processes, ensuring that all aspects of research-related ethical requirements are fulfilled;
• contributing to the preparation and submission of applications for competitive research grants;
• providing day-to-day support to Professor Broom and the broader SCHS team, including in relation to his various research projects and (for Level B appointments), mentoring junior staff.
• working with Centre Directors, Theme leaders and Centre research staff, to further the vison and objectives of the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for Postdoctoral Research Associate/Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Level A or B) in Sociology who has:

• a PhD in sociology, social science or a related discipline;
• a research profile evidenced by high-quality, peer reviewed research in sociology, anthropology, health services research, public health or related discipline;
• experience designing, running and disseminating social research projects including collecting, analysing and publishing qualitative data;
• sound project management experience;
• a demonstrated capacity for high-level engagement with sociological theory;
• the ability to contribute to the preparation and submission of research grants; and
• demonstrated initiative, teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills in an academic context.

Other

Please note: Visa sponsorship is only available for this position for candidates who are currently located within Australia.

For more information on the position and University, please view the position description 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 https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE and search by the job requisition number 0078465 to apply.

Closing date: 11:30pm, Sunday 21 March 2021

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.

© The University of Sydney

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