Sydney Horizon Fellowships (Climate Change, Health and Sustainability)

Our Sydney Horizon Fellowships aim to create new research capacity by empowering early- and mid-career researchers to undertake innovative research that will build our understanding of and resilience to climate change, improve health outcomes, and create a more sustainable world. 

• Up to 40 continuing academic positions, located at The University of Sydney
• Base Salary Level B/C $113,184 p.a. – $159,867 p.a. + 17% superannuation and up to $100,000 per annum in research funding

Successful applicants will:

• be part of an exciting fellowship program at the University of Sydney, one of the world’s great research and teaching universities
• enjoy a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• build a better world and make a lasting impact.

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney is recognised as one of the top research and teaching universities in the world and, as such, is perfectly placed to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. The University of Sydney is ranked 41st in the world for 2023 University rankings. Our graduate employability is 1st in Australia, and 4th in the world. We ranked 5th in the QS World University Rankings in Sustainability and our subject rankings in Medicine are rated 2nd in Australia, and 25th globally.

To build on this performance, the University’s Sydney Horizon Fellowships will establish an integrated and cohesive community of outstanding researchers to address the world’s greatest challenges. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today and affects not only the environment but all areas of human and environmental health and stability. A more sustainable and healthier world must be reimagined to improve lives, ecosystems, and the potential of future generations. 

The Sydney Horizon Fellowship aims to attract and retain the best and brightest emerging academics, with outstanding research track records on a rising trajectory, who are deeply committed to research that has real world impact and who are willing to work across different disciplines to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. The Horizon Fellows will be appointed as continuing research and teaching academics. Upon commencement, the first three years of the five-year fellowship program will be focused on research, with a minimum of 80% dedicated to research and the final two years will see a transition to a balanced teaching and research workload, with more time dedicated to teaching.

The Sydney Horizon Fellowships will create scale and focus in areas of current and emerging research strengths of the University’s faculties and multidisciplinary initiatives. The Sydney Horizon Fellowships are open to all disciplines. Applicants must propose research that addresses at least one of the challenges of climate change, health or sustainability. Horizon Fellows will be supported to join existing Centres and form new communities of practice across the schools and faculties of the University.

To be successful in this role you will:

• be a researcher performing at the highest level of the equivalent academic level (Levels B/C), relative to opportunity, in at least one of the defined challenges
• be undertaking significant and innovative research which is aligned with the objectives of the Sydney Horizon Fellowship program and the host Faculty, and which is multidisciplinary in nature
• foster a culture of impactful collaborations and partnerships

Our University of Sydney Horizon Fellowships program is a cornerstone of the University’s 2032 Strategy, and is particularly important to the strategy’s focus on enhancing our ability to deliver outstanding research that addresses the greatest challenges for the “common good”. Horizon Fellows will benefit from a dedicated mentoring and leadership development program to help them maximise their potential and build a pipeline of future research leaders. 

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values. As a Horizon Fellow, you will have:

• been less than ten years since the award of your PhD (or equivalent) at the application closing date (5 July 2023), considering career interruptions and achievement relative to opportunity
• strong evidence of independent research excellence on a rising trajectory, including a strong track record of research outputs such as publications and grant funding success that is outstanding for your career stage and discipline
• a developing network of relationships with key academic, industry and professional institutions, partners and stakeholders
• experience in teaching and learning, as evidenced by participation in team teaching within an established program and experience in teaching in a variety of settings
• demonstrated success in designing, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning initiatives
• experience in supervising or mentoring others and/or coordinating team activities
• a developing knowledge and understanding of the key strategic issues in the discipline and higher education sector
• excellent communication skills and demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively across a range of media and forums

Fellowships may be undertaken on a full-time basis or a part-time basis where required. Appointment level will be negotiable at academic Levels B or C prior to appointment. The commencement level will be determined commensurate to the Horizon Fellow’s skills, experience, and knowledge.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all the role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. 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

Our Fellows will support our aspiration to be a leading workplace for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our people are part of an exciting environment where development is encouraged and intellectual pursuits foster a sense of purpose and confidence. 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through 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’re proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer.

How to apply  

Applications can be submitted via the university website.   

Your application must consist of the following:

1. A two-page CV, using the template provided 
2. A prepared statement outlining how your proposed research aligns with the objectives of the Horizon Fellowship program, would be synergistic with current activity in the host Faculty, is multidisciplinary, and aligns with University of Sydney’s 2032 Strategy (5,000-character limit, maximum two A4 pages) 
3. A prepared statement describing your research achievements, relative to opportunity, in accordance with the Australian Research Council’s Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence guidelines (5,000 character limit, maximum two A4 pages) 
4. A research proposal, using the template provided and uploaded as a PDF (maximum two A4 pages, not including references)  
5. Your ORCID iD (where available). This may be used to assist with the assessment process. 
6. Three potential mentors/collaborators at the University of Sydney (and their Faculty / School and area of research focus) in one or more of your nominated areas of research focus. It is not a requirement to contact potential mentors/collaborators prior to submitting the application. 

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

Find out more about our Sydney Horizon Fellowships or start your application.

Please note applications close Wednesday, 5 July 2023, at 11:59pm AEST.

For any general enquiries about the scheme not covered by the guidelines please contact: horizon.fellowships@sydney.edu.au 

Applicants will be able to access the relevant diversity pages from the university website page.