Behavioural economics research fellow - intensive care unit clinical trial

Full-time, fixed term until June 2029
Join a leading research program at The University of Sydney (Camperdown and Darlington
Campus)
Base salary $132,533 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity
The University of Sydney School of Health Sciences is seeking an outstanding behavioural economist in intensive care unit clinical trials (Level B) with strong quantitative and qualitative research methods skills. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary research program.

In this role, you will co-lead and contribute to a behavioural economics clinical trial focused on translating clinical practice guidelines into routine intensive care unit services, introducing policy changes at scale, and reducing unwarranted variation in care. Primarily, you will be coordinating an MRFF funded clinical trial testing different strategies for reducing the provision of routine low value diagnostic testing and imaging in NSW intensive care units. You will design, conduct, and publish research in collaboration with our health service partners, involving qualitative interviews and focus groups, intervention co-design, quantitative data collection and analysis, and evaluation using a clinical trial design. You will work with a team of researchers and liaise with a range of academics, research and administrative staff, and industry stakeholders.

The Sydney School of Health Sciences is a world leader in health science research and education. We collaborate with external partners and engage with real-world problems to anticipate the health issues of tomorrow while overcoming the challenges of today. Our high-impact research is acknowledged and translated into practice and policy nationally and internationally. Our multidisciplinary research themes and centres reflect the strength, diversity and depth of our research. Our master's and PhD research degrees offer the opportunity to
work alongside our world-leading researchers. We engage in key issues, such as healthcare reform and strive to achieve the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for the whole community.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

Co-develop and evaluate strategies using behavioural economics methods by
incorporating clinical, policy, economic, and lived experience perspectives.
Undertake quantitative research and evaluation to assess the implementation of changes within the health system using a clinical trial design.
Facilitate and contribute to strengthening the capability of project partners to use implementation science research and evaluation methods.
Lead and contribute to academic publications in high quality journals, national and international conference presentations and other dissemination activities.
Lead and contribute to applications for competitive research grant funding to deliver research impact.
Co-supervise higher degree research students and contribute to a positive workplace culture that values diversity of thought, collaboration, excellence, and achieving outcomes.
Undertake ad-hoc projects and other activities relevant to the role’s key accountabilities as approved by the Manager and commensurate with the role’s classification level.

About you

A PhD in applying behavioural economics to reduce low value care in health settings.
Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, analysing and publishing clinical trials in public hospital settings.
Demonstrated experience coordinating clinical trials in critical care environments (e.g. intensive care units and emergency departments).
Excellent communication skills with an ability to lead projects involving a range of healthcare stakeholders, including clinicians, policy makers, hospital executives, and patients.
Track record of peer reviewed publications in high quality journals and conference presentations.
Demonstrated experience contributing to the academic life and administrative tasks of the broader workplace, with a track record of effective teamwork.
Demonstrated experience undertaking systematic reviews.
Experience with statistical software packages (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R).

This position requires a criminal record check and up to date vaccination and immunisation.

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.

As this position is located on an NSW Health site, it is a regulatory requirement to complete compulsory employment checks prior to starting in this position. For more information and instructions, please visit:NSW Health employment requirements

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 Lena Germinarios, Recruitment Operations by email to recruitment.medandhealth@sydney.edu.au

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

Applications Close

Wednesday 15 July 2026 11:59 PM