Research Fellow in Islet Biology

• Part time (0.2FTE), fixed term for 36 months

• Exciting opportunity to be a Research Fellow with the School of Medical Sciences

• Base Salary starting from $127,436 (pro rata) + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Medical Sciences is recognised as one of the leading centres for medical science education in the world. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of medical scientists who will be leading members of the medical research community with an innovative integrated curriculum. Our team of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy across a range of therapeutic areas.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Islet Biology to apply and advance their expertise in research design, methodologies, and delivery within a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The successful candidate will contribute to high-impact research focused on pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes, with a particular emphasis on the biology of insulin secretory granules.

The role involves leading and conducting innovative research independently and as part of a team, including the design and implementation of experimental approaches across islet biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The Fellow will contribute to the development of research strategies, generate high-quality data, and drive scholarly outputs through publications and presentations.

In addition, the position will play a key role in securing competitive funding, including contributing to and leading grant applications, and in building collaborative partnerships across academic and clinical networks to maximise research impact.

This position is supported by an NHMRC Ideas Project grant and offers an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at uncovering mechanisms to preserve beta-cell function and improve outcomes for people living with diabetes.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• conduct independent and collaborative research, contributing to high-quality publications and conference presentations

• build a strong research profile through peer-reviewed publications and dissemination in relevant biomedical fields

• develop and contribute to collaborative and translational research initiatives, supporting impact in diabetes and metabolic health

• contribute to and lead competitive grant applications (e.g., NHMRC and other funding bodies)

• design, implement, and optimise experimental approaches, including molecular and cell biology techniques, advanced imaging, and functional assays

• ensure excellence, rigour, and reproducibility in experimental design, data analysis, and research outputs

• provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior researchers and students, and contribute to postgraduate supervision where appropriate

• engage actively in the research culture of the lab, School, and Charles Perkins Centre, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration

• contribute to the strategic research priorities of the School and Faculty in biomedical and translational research

• undertake other duties and contribute to projects appropriate to the classification level.

About you

• PhD in a relevant biomedical or life sciences field

• demonstrated experience conducting original research, with expertise in cellular and molecular approaches relevant to pancreatic islets (e.g., primary islets or beta-cell models, functional assays, advanced imaging or omics techniques)

• an emerging research profile, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions

• experience developing and contributing to collaborative research projects with academic, clinical, or industry partners

• proven ability to supervise, mentor, and support students or junior researchers

• strong skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, with a high level of organisation and attention to detail.

Pre-employment checks

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.

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, Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email to [email protected].

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Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Tuesday 02 June 2026 11:59 PM