Organisation/Company: UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE Research Field: Medical sciences Researcher Profile: Leading Researcher (R4) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country: Australia Application Deadline: 6 Jan 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Job Status: Full-time
Offer Description
- Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 3 years
- Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
- Department: Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Salary: Level B - $124,656 - $148,023 per annum (pro rata for part time) or Level C - $152,695 - $176,065 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Lead research to transform knowledge and clinical care of uveitis / Use cutting‑edge corneal imaging / Cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations
Apply now for this unique opportunity to engage in innovative eye research
Investing in you – benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programmes, discounted services and professional development opportunities
The University of Melbourne
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Your next career opportunity
As a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow: Ocular Immunology and Clinical Translation, in the Downie Laboratory – Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne, you’ll pursue cutting‑edge research focused on the anterior eye and ocular immunology, in particular uveitis. As a senior member of the research unit, you will contribute to research that seeks to transform understanding of immune responses in the eye, develop and validate new biomarkers, and directly improve patient care. Working with Professor Laura Downie, you’ll contribute to the strategic direction of the research unit, including competitive research grant applications, and mentor early‑career researchers and students in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading Innovative Research: Conduct high‑quality studies on ocular immunology, with a central focus on uveitis, including developing study protocols and managing projects from conception to publication.
- Securing Funding and Publishing: Contribute to, and/or lead, competitive research grant applications, and produce high‑impact publications to advance the field of eye research.
- Mentoring and Supervising: Guide and foster the development of graduate students and early‑career researchers.
- Building Collaborations: Establish and nurture partnerships with academics, clinicians, industry and professional associations to augment research impact.
You may be a great fit if:
You are an accomplished researcher with a strong track record of achievement in eye and/or vision science, who demonstrates leadership in project management, interdisciplinary collaborations and securing competitive funding, as well as highly‑developed interpersonal skills.
You may also:
- Hold a PhD in a relevant research field.
- Have a nationally or internationally recognised research programme in eye and/or vision science.
- Possess excellent leadership and organisational skills for managing research projects and teams.
- Demonstrate success in securing major competitive research grants or fellowships.
- Have strong experience in research supervision and mentorship.
- Excel in written and oral communication, with a robust publication record.
- Have expertise in human research ethics and clinical trial governance.
For further information please refer to the attached PD.
What we offer you!
- Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and wellbeing
- Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work‑life balance
- Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
- Health and wellbeing services including a leading Employee Assistance Programme
- Comprehensive career development and training, plus a 25 % discount on UniMelb graduate courses for your immediate family members
For more information, check out our benefits page!
Your new team – Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences currently comprises twenty‑four academic staff (10 teaching and research, 5 teaching specialists and 9 research only). It is located at 200 Berkeley St, Carlton, Parkville Campus, and has laboratory and office space for its Visual Neuroscience research groups in the Kenneth Myer Building. The Melbourne Eye Care Clinic is collocated there and provides clinical training for optometry students and clinical eye care service to students, staff and the general public.
Working at the University – what you need to know
- This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check. The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process.
- Visa sponsorship may be available for the right candidate.
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Corey Menadue via email at hr‑, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
Application documents required:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria
For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to
Closing Date: Tuesday 6 January :55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child‑safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants: We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne. For further information, including our 2023‑2027 Indigenous strategy, please visit
For more information on reasonable adjustments, see
To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Bec Tucker – or send an email titled ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ to hr‑
For further information, please refer to the attached PDF titled "Position Description: Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow Ocular Immunology and Clinical Translation.pdf".
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