Associate Research Fellow - LINK Project

• Full-time, fixed-term position for 2 years.
• Campbelltown campus (Tuesdays & Fridays) with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: Academic Level A $97,153 – $117,376 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Investigate barriers and enablers to culturally safe, accessible healthcare for people participating in opioid treatment programs.

The Opportunity
Western Sydney University's Translational Health Research Institute and School of Medicine are seeking a highly motivated researcher who is passionate about improving access to good healthcare for everyone. You will work with the LINK Project investigators to support a co-designed integrated care model that strengthens connections between opioid dependence treatment programs and general practice.

You will engage with a wide range of project stakeholders, including General Practitioners, GP Practice Managers, pharmacists, drug health service staff, clients and consumers, and research investigators across multiple institutions. Your exceptional interpersonal skills will support productive relationships with project investigators, research partners and community stakeholders.

You will contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of mixed-methods research, including ethics applications, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and research data management. You will examine the barriers and facilitators affecting culturally safe, accessible and high-quality holistic healthcare, prepare research reports, and contribute to student research supervision and mentoring.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver rigorous mixed-methods research that supports the evaluation of the LINK Project.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with investigators, healthcare providers, consumers and community stakeholders.
• Support the recruitment and retention of participants and general practice sites.
• Produce timely research reports and maintain accurate, appropriately managed project data.
• Contribute to the supervision and mentoring of student research projects.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You
We're looking for someone with a strong research background and a genuine interest in improving health outcomes for marginalised communities. To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in medicine, implementation science, public health, or a related health research discipline, with demonstrated knowledge of mixed-methods research design and analysis.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations in marginalised population health research, appropriate to your career stage.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to build effective relationships, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience undertaking research in addiction medicine or general practice and/or working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be highly regarded.
• Eligibility to apply for contingent worker status with NSW Health (this may include providing evidence of a current Working With Children Check).
• Availability to attend our Campbelltown campus on Tuesdays and Fridays, with additional on-campus attendance as required.
• A current driver's licence and willingness to travel across Western Sydney Local Health District areas to engage with community partners.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Associate Professor Marguerite Tracy, Associate Professor of General Practice via M.Tracy2@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1799C.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 20 September 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.