Postdoctoral /Research Fellow in Indigenous Health and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

Full-time fixed-term research focused position for up to 2 years

Base salary will be in the range $82,057.75 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A) or $114,824.05 - $136,048.73 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level B)

Based at our Toowong office

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Fellow to join the Life Course Group (led by Professor Abdullah Mamun) at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, supporting high-impact research on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). This role is ideal for someone passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and translating research into culturally appropriate, community-based interventions aimed at closing the gap and contributing to Australia’s target of ending RHD by 2031.

Under Professor Mamun’s guidance, the successful candidate will contribute to Aboriginal-led interdisciplinary research, supporting a major NHMRC Synergy Grant project. Responsibilities include: engaging and coordinating with investigators, partner organisations, communities, and stakeholders; co-designing interventions and behavioural nudges; developing culturally appropriate models of care; drafting ethics applications; collecting, managing, and analysing data; conducting economic evaluations; and contributing to dissemination activities.

The role involves regular travel to rural and remote communities across the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. This is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful change and support research that improves health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Conduct high-quality research and produce outputs consistent with discipline standards, including publications, exhibitions, or presentations in reputable outlets. Participate in competitive research funding applications and collaborate with colleagues on joint projects to support research activities. Contribute to the translation of knowledge, technology, and practices to end users, including the commercialisation of UQ intellectual property.

Additional for Level B: Develop independence in your research program to achieve national recognition and impact. Take on chief investigator roles in funding applications, actively seeking, obtaining, and managing research funding to support projects and research initiatives.

• Provide effective supervision and guidance to Honours and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, supporting their professional development, monitoring progress, and providing constructive feedback. Manage research support staff where applicable, fostering a positive team environment, addressing conflicts or grievances promptly, and ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.

Additional for Level B: Demonstrate a proven track record of effective HDR supervision and actively facilitate student engagement opportunities, including workshops, collaborations, and professional development initiatives.

• Demonstrate strong citizenship behaviours aligned with UQ values, contributing to the smooth operation of the unit through participation in decision-making, committees, and internal service activities. Support colleagues and the wider team as needed, including during absences, and contribute to maintaining a collaborative and professional workplace culture.

Additional for Level B: Actively pursue and cultivate external partnerships and relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies, and the wider community, strengthening the University’s profile and contributing to strategic research and engagement objectives.

This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

About Uq

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad:  from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About You

• Completion or near completion of a PhD in public health, health services research, behavioural science, health economics, or related disciplines.
• A sound understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ health and wellbeing is essential, with additional knowledge of the life course approach and Rheumatic Heart Disease is desirable.
• Demonstrate experience or understanding of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including experience in participant recruitment.
• Have an emerging track record in publications in reputed refereed journals and presentations at conferences.
• Evidence of contributing to the successful obtaining and management of external research funding.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated capacity to collaborate across diverse teams.
• Possess strong project management skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Additionally at Level B Candidates will be required to demonstrate

• Completion of a PhD in the discipline area
• A growing profile in research in the discipline area
• A growing record of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, education check, mandatory immunisations.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Abdullah Mamun at a.mamun@uq.edu.au.

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
 

Want To Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Responses to the ‘About You’ section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Thursday 13 November 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-56342). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing November 17th 2025.