Postdoctoral Research Associate (FERN Study)

• Full-time, 2-year fixed-term opportunity commencing on 1 August 2026

• Join a world-leading research team at the InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders and help shape the future of eating disorder prevention, treatment and recovery through impactful research with national reach

• Base Salary $113,400 - $121,054 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

Join the InsideOut Institute at the University of Sydney as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and contribute to the FERN Study (Fear, Emotion and Reward in Anorexia Nervosa), a multidisciplinary clinical research program investigating how neural reward processing, hormones, and the gut microbiome influence caloric avoidance in individuals with anorexia nervosa. This role sits within a leading national centre for eating disorder research, policy and innovation, delivering evidence-based research with real-world impact for individuals, families and communities.

You will work within a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment spanning neuroscience, psychiatry, endocrinology and microbiome science, alongside clinicians, senior trialists, neuroscientists, biostatisticians and laboratory scientists. You will have access to world-class imaging and laboratory facilities while applying and further developing your research expertise in a complex, high-impact research setting. Under the guidance of senior academic staff, you will contribute to advanced neuroimaging analysis, including fMRI and structural MRI, and the integration of multimodal datasets across neuroimaging, hormonal and microbiome data.

In addition, you will contribute to the dissemination of high-quality research outputs through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and other scholarly outputs, ensuring strong translation into academic and clinical impact. You will support the coordination and operational delivery of research activities, including clinical trial processes, data integrity and research documentation, while maintaining rigorous scientific, ethical and governance standards. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging researcher to build their academic profile within a diverse, inclusive and equitable research environment, while contributing to a transformative program aimed at improving outcomes for people affected by eating disorders across Australia.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct advanced neuroimaging research within the FERN Study, including fMRI and structural MRI analyses, to investigate neural mechanisms associated with eating behaviour, reward processing and caloric avoidance, contributing to innovative research.

• Integrate and analyse multimodal datasets, including neuroimaging, hormonal, microbiome and behavioural data, in collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams to advance understanding of eating disorders.

• Lead and contribute to high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and grant-related reporting, supporting the translation of findings into impactful academic and clinical outcomes.

• Maintain research excellence through rigorous study design, data integrity, ethical compliance and accurate documentation, including contributions to ethics amendments, governance processes and reporting requirements.

• Support clinical trial coordination and research operations, including participant scheduling, data management, and other administrative tasks as required to ensure smooth study delivery.

• Contribute to mentoring of students and junior researchers where appropriate, while actively participating in grant development, stakeholder engagement and broader initiatives that strengthen the research profile and impact of the team.

About you

• A Completed PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Psychiatry, Health Sciences, Medicine, Biomedical Science, Data Science or a closely related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience conducting original neuroimaging research, and preparation of high-quality peer-reviewed publications.

• Proficiency in coding and data analysis using tools such as R, Python, MATLAB or equivalent, with experience managing and analysing complex biological, behavioural or clinical datasets, with experience in using REDCap or similar research data systems (desirable).

• Strong understanding of research integrity, reproducibility and ethical research practice, with familiarity in open science approaches, data sharing and preregistration.

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to prepare publications, contribute to grant applications, deliver presentations and engage effectively with multidisciplinary stakeholders.

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University.  Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. 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.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum 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 Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations by email to [email protected]

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

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Sunday 17 May 2026 11:59 PM