• School of Health | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs or UniSC Moreton Bay, Petrie
• Academic Level A - $83,148 - $112,588  p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time (36.25 hours per week), fixed-term appointment until August 2028

The School of Health (SOH)

Where Passion Meets Impact - Join the School of Health!

Are you eager to make a difference in health education and research? Join our dedicated team of researchers and educators at the School of Health (SOH). We have a strong focus on cultivating healthy minds, bodies, and environments through our teaching, research, and outreach efforts. With a purpose that extends regionally and impacts globally, we are committed to advancing knowledge in the health sector and improving the well-being of our communities. Together, let's create healthier communities now and for the generations to come.

The Opportunity

Join UniSC’s dynamic research community as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Vision Science) within the internationally recognised Sunny Psychophysics team in the School of Health. This exciting opportunity will see you contribute to an Australia Research Council (ARC) funded research program investigating how the brain learns physical properties from images, while advancing our understanding of the computational processes that underpin vision, from retinal processing through to perceptual decision-making. You will play a key role in driving high-impact research outcomes through project development, grant applications, ethics and governance processes, data analysis, and the publication and dissemination of research findings. Working within a collaborative and innovative environment, you will also have the opportunity to mentor emerging researchers, support HDR and undergraduate research students, and contribute to the effective operation of world-class vision science facilities through research coordination, risk management, and training activities.

For more information please visit us online: School of Health

You will:

• Lead and contribute to high-quality research activities by developing research expertise, designing and delivering research projects, analysing findings, and communicating outcomes through publications and presentations;
• Contribute to research growth and impact by supporting grant development, building collaborative partnerships, and engaging with academic, industry, community, and professional networks;
• Support research training and capability development through mentoring and supervising HDR, Honours, and undergraduate research students;
• Contribute to a positive and inclusive academic environment by promoting excellence in research, collaboration, ethical practice, and culturally capable ways of working; and
• Participate in broader academic activities, including teaching, service, governance, and initiatives that support UniSC’s strategic goals and evolving research environment.

About you:

You are an ambitious and collaborative early career researcher with a passion for advancing knowledge in vision science, psychology, neuroscience, or cognitive science. You thrive in intellectually stimulating environments, enjoy working as part of a research team, and are motivated to produce research with meaningful scientific impact.

The successful candidate will bring strong research capability, emerging scholarly leadership, and the ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. You will be eager to build your publication profile, contribute to grant success, and support student development through mentoring and supervision

You will possess:

• Completion or near-completion of a doctoral qualification in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or a similar field;
• A developing record of high-quality refereed publications and other discipline-specific research outputs, with clear evidence of individual contribution and research impact (e.g., citations, journal quality, and other relevant measures);
• Success in attracting research funding, including internal and external grants, with demonstrated contribution to funded projects and research initiatives;
• Evidence of emerging research reputation and esteem, including invitations to present, keynote or conference contributions, awards, prizes, and professional or academic committee involvement;
• Supervision of research students.  In the case of all applicants, supervision of higher degree research students and number of completions will also be taken into consideration; and
• Strong personal qualities and collegial approaches that contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment which is conducive to engagement and achievement for both staff and students.

Desirable:

• Expertise and research experience in computational modelling of low-level and mid-level visual processes.
• Expertise and research experience in running psychophysical experiments.
• Expertise in coding in common environments, such as MATLAB, Python etc.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

How to apply

All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at: Careers at UniSC

Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 9 August 2026.

Position description:  494113_Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Vision Science).pdf

Your completed application must include:

• a resume, and responses to specific pre-determined selection criteria as outlined in the application form.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team.

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Dr Will Harrison
Lecturer in Psychology – School of Health
Telephone: 07 5456 3750
Email: wharrison@usc.edu.au

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence Research for Australia Rankings. In 2024, we moved 97 places to be in the top 110 institutions in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings (2024).

We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.