Career Opportunities

Details of vacancies:

Epidemiologist / Senior Epidemiologist (Social Epidemiology) [0019881]
Classification: Research Fellow (Level B) / Senior Research Fellow (Level C)

An epidemiologist / senior epidemiologist will be a senior member of the CRD and will provide leadership primarily for the establishment and implementation of a national population-based survey on musculoskeletal health (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and back pain). In addition to generating new data on disease prevalence, this survey (N=15,000) will focus on the impact of musculoskeletal conditions and related chronic disorders on quality of life, participation in workforce, family and society, and explore barriers and enablers to healthcare use and self-care. This position is an exceptional career opportunity as it will generate a unique national and international public health resource. The project also has a strong focus on informing public policy at the state and commonwealth levels.

This project is funded through the ARC Linkage scheme, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The successful applicant will be expected to liaise closely and productively with these organizations. The chief investigators include A/Prof Richard Osborne, Prof Rachelle Buchbinder, A/Prof Lyn March, Dr Ilana Ackerman and Prof Ian Wicks. The project will link with other Australian surveys and research undertaken by colleagues in other countries including the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (USA).

The successful applicant will provide be an accomplished researcher in epidemiology / public health and have an established track record in publications, presentations and applied epidemiology. The successful applicant will undertake research on the project outlined above, helping to achieve the research goals and maximize academic output from the project, liaise with partner organizations, help supervise support staff and junior researchers, give research presentations at local, national and international meetings and actively seek further research funding.

To obtain a detailed position description and submit your application, you must access the online advertisement at: www.jobs.unimelb.edu.au by using the above position number or title as the keyword in the Job Search screen.

Application closing date: 25 August 2008.

Research Fellow (WorkHealth) [0019882]
Classification: Research Fellow Grade 1 (Level A) / Research Fellow Grade 2 (Level B)

The appointee will be a member of the Work Health Group, which is a collaboration between the CRD, the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, School of Physiotherapy (CHESM), Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Cabrini Hospital, and industry. The collaborative research team is young, innovative and dynamic and led by A/Prof Richard Osborne.

The team has been awarded a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to develop the Australian WorkHealth Program over 2.5 years. In addition to A/Prof Osborne the team includes specialists in education and evaluation (Jenni Livingston) and internationally renowned arthritis researchers and clinical trialists Prof Kim Bennell (CHESM) and Prof Rachelle Buchbinder (Monash University). This team, collectively and independently, has generated and led several large high impact projects with national and international applications.

The overall aim of this research is to develop and test an education and self management program for administration in workplaces so that risk of arthritis onset can be minimised and arthritis-related absenteeism and presenteeism can be prevented or reduced. The intervention will take a ‘whole of system’ approach (senior management through to workers) and be appropriate for a wide range of workplaces.
This project is a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of an education / self-management program from first principles, supported by a committed National Steering Committee, an Industry Advisory Committee of 13 leading Australian businesses and resourced to generate a well grounded program ready for wider application.

The project has already completed a literature review, detailed stakeholder consultation, both in the form of a large workshop (50 persons) and through one-on-one meetings to gain in-depth knowledge across workplace settings. The project will have a strong emphasis on effective education practices and be informed by best practice in other countries.

In this project great care is being taken to understand cultural, community and organisational issues around workplaces (organisation policy through to employee and employer confidentiality) and specific issues related to people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  A whole of system approach to primary and secondary prevention will be undertaken and will include the principles of introduction of innovation.  The intervention will be applied and evaluated in two workplaces where there is an excess of risk factors for arthritis and/or in industries where arthritis is likely to be highly prevalent.

A highly motivated and experienced individual is required to take a major role in conceptualising, testing and piloting the education components of the project as well as production of curriculum components and teaching materials. In addition to the current vacant position, the project team will consist of three staff (Study Manager, Research Officer and Administrative support) based at the WorkHealth Unit, 766 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

To obtain a detailed position description and submit your application, you must access the online advertisement at: www.jobs.unimelb.edu.au by using the above position number or title as the keyword in the Job Search screen.

Application closing date: 16 August 2008.

PhD Scholar: Determinants of participation in work, family and society.

Applications are sought for PhD study in public health or social epidemiology for three years. The PhD will be based around the upcoming ARC Linkage-funded study comprising a national population-based survey (N=15,000) of the impact osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and back pain has on participation in family, society and the workforce. The research can be approached from an epidemiological, public health, social or health economics perspective. Multi-disciplinary supervision is available. Applicants should have an interest in the social determinants of health, behavioural epidemiology or outcomes measurement in population health. Those with an honours degree in biological sciences or social sciences will be required to undertake course work unless they additionally have masters degree in public health, statistics or epidemiology. This national study is being led by the AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases. Further details of PhD study and how to apply can be obtained at http://www.crd.unimelb.edu.au/

It is expected that two or more PhD scholars will commence in 2008 / early 2009. One APAI scholarship is offered with an annual stipend of $25,118 for 3 years commencing Semester 2, 2008.

Applications for enrolment can be made at any time, however if you are intending to apply for a university scholarship, applications need to be lodged by 31st of October 2008. Once an offer of a place has been accepted, applications for university scholarships close on 31st October 2008. For domestic applicants university scholarships cover an annual living allowance ($19,425), relocation and thesis expenses. For international applicants, university scholarships cover annual fees ($24,950), living allowance ($19,425), relocation, and thesis expenses. In addition to university scholarships, an additional annual living allowance of $25,000 plus expenses is available. International applicants need to satisfy IELTS criteria for study at The University of Melbourne.

Applicants should contact:

Applications should be sent to A/Professor Richard Osborne at:

AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases
Department of Medicine (RMH/WH)
The University of Melbourne
C/- The Royal Melbourne Hospital
City Campus, 7 East,
Grattan Street
Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3050

Applications for the APAI scholarship must be received by August 29, 2008. 

Additional Opportunities
Enquiries are also welcome from aspiring PhD scholars and postdoctoral researchers wishing to consider the CRD as a placement for clinical, public health, health services research and related disciplines. A wide range of outstanding research training opportunities exist within our current research program. For further information contact Mary Ljubanovic: +61 3 8344 7841, Mary.Ljubanovic@mh.org.au

How to Apply

All applicants should address selection criteria.  To obtain the position description and selection criteria for this role, please click on the links listed above.

If you are interested in this role, and would like to join The University of Melbourne, please visit the Job Vacancies section of the University of Melbourne website.

Recruitment processes

University of Melbourne is committed to equal opportunity in education, employment and welfare for staff and students. Staff and students are selected and promoted on merit.