Career opportunities

• Not for profit sector with great salary packaging benefits for staff
• Office located in Glebe, NSW (with highly flexible work arrangements available)
• Full time opportunity (however, part time may be considered)
• Professional and friendly environment

So, who is the Sax Institute?

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

We have an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 60 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

A little about the role

We are seeking an individual with expertise and demonstrable experience in the evaluation of complex policies and programs.  The Director will have the capacity to build on what has already been achieved and take the program to the next level, incorporating the best available real world evaluation methodologies and forging links with leading policy and program evaluators nationally and internationally.

Leading a team of dedicated professionals, this is a diverse role that will leverage off both your research and evaluation expertise as well as your ability to successfully lead a team and key projects. Although no two days will be the same, responsibilities will include:

• Strengthening the strategic approach of Evaluate to position the program as a national leader
• Leading Evaluate projects
• Identifying and selecting relevant opportunities for the Institute’s evaluation and analysis work and preparing bids
• Contributing as member of the management group of the Sax Institute
• Designing and coordinating appropriately constructed project teams to undertake the required work, drawing on internal and external expertise
• Managing and supporting Evaluate staff to ensure that professional development, reporting, budgeting and delivery of services as per annual plan happen effectively

What skills and experience do I need?

We are looking for a dynamic and dedicated research and evaluation leader to fill this position who has the following experience and current skill set:

• A PhD or equivalent work experience, with substantial experience in evaluation and research in the health and/or social sectors
• Substantial experience in policy or program development, implementation and review at a senior level, either from within government or an organisation that works closely with government
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative approaches to research and evaluation as it relates to health and/or social policy and practice
• Substantial experience in staff management and professional developmentProven track record in the submission and management of tender bids, including staffing and budget processes
• Excellent analytical skills, particularly in relation to an organisation’s research and evaluation needs
• Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills and proven ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people including senior researchers, clinicians and senior government officials.

How do I apply?

If this sounds interesting, please click here to read more about the position.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria to jobs@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Director, Evaluate

Please contact Sian Rudge at sian.rudge@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close: 4 October 2022

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Not for profit sector
• Full time position
• 2-year contract
• Great office located in Glebe, NSW (with Hybrid work arrangements available)

About the Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

The Sax Institute has an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and nearly 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 50 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

Our Research Assets Division includes some of our flagship programs – the 45 and Up Study (the largest ongoing study of health and ageing in Australia) and the Secure Unified Research Environment (SURE) that approved researchers use to conduct analysis of sensitive linked data.

SURE is an online workspace for analysing and sharing health and human services data from many sources, including hospitals, Medicare, cancer registries and CentreLink. SURE puts the right data in the right hands – offering custodians a flexible way to share health data with the research community, while also giving researchers access to pre-approved linked data they can trust.

SURE is Australia’s most trusted and widely used secure remote-access research environment and provides remote and secure access to sensitive health records from more than 25 data custodians to over 500 Australian researchers.

About the role

This newly created role provides a great opportunity for an experienced IT professional to join our small and dynamic SURE team. This role is hands-on and will allow the right candidate to build, maintain and support all SURE infrastructure while also developing new technical and security solutions for the system. The IT Manager, SURE position is the ideal next role for someone who is looking to combine their strong technical expertise, customer central approach to projects and dedicated focus on continuous improvement.

Although no two days will be the same, responsibilities will include:

• Managing the SURE Service offering providing support to external customers (including technical support and trouble shooting)
• Leading the operation of the SURE Service Desk including being the escalation point for service and security issues
• Providing technical advice and guidance to SURE
• Ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the SURE IT infrastructure
• Assisting with IT projects including upgrade and maintenance projects
• information security implementation, administration and awareness.

Selection Criteria

Essential

To be successful, the IT Manager, SURE should demonstrate the following technical and behavioural competencies:

• 5+ years of 3rd level systems experience in an environment comprising multiple technologies
• 2+ years of service delivery management experience in a team matrix environment leveraging third party Suppliers
• Strong experience in the successful delivery of IT platforms and management of customer service desk
• Strong experience with Server and desktop MS Windows and virtualisation technologies
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Strong technical and troubleshooting skills
• Experience in ISO27001 compliance or other security framework.

Experience in Linux (Ubuntu), networking supporting switches, VPN and firewalls, shared storage technologies (such as SANs) and cloud migration/hybrid cloud strategy would also be viewed positively.

Further details

If this sounds interesting, click here to read more about the position.

To apply, please send your CV with a cover letter to jobs@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading IT Manager, SURE. Only applications with a cover letter (no more than 2 pages in length) that outlines your experience as related to the following essential criteria will be considered:

1. Managing a service desk for customers
2. Designing and implementing technological solutions in a data centre

Please contact Anthony Ashton at anthony.ashton@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in with an application close of 11pm, 28 August 2022.

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Not for profit sector
• Professional and friendly environment
• Office located in Glebe (Sydney), NSW (with flexible work arrangements available)

About the Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

The Institute has an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and nearly 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 50 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

About the role

A great opportunity exists for a Senior Discrete Event Simulation Modeller to join the Sax Institute. Sitting within the Decision Analytics team, this position will develop model-based decision support tools for governmental, non-governmental and service delivery organisations, using high-level mathematical modelling and data analytics skills. This role will provide a unique opportunity to build simulation models to solve real-world problems and leave a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians.

Working with dedicated professionals and true experts in their field, this is a diverse role that will be responsible for the technical development of high-standard Discrete Event Simulation models. Although no two days will be the same, responsibilities will include:

• Leading the analytic work in developing Discrete Event Simulation based decision support tools for policy and planning, including updates to and expansion of existing tools
• Develop standardised approaches for managing DES model data, components, user interfaces and dashboards
• Supporting stakeholder engagement in model development
• Contributing to the dissemination of the work of Decision Analytics
• Contributing to tenders and applications for new work
• Contributing to capacity building and innovation

About you – Selection Criteria

We are looking for a dynamic and dedicated Discrete Event Simulation Modeller to fill this position who has the following experience and current skill set:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering) or demonstrated equivalent professional experience

A minimum of 2 years professional experience developing Discrete Event Simulation models

• Advanced experience with discrete event simulation / agent-based modelling simulation software, preferably AnyLogic.
• Familiarity with one or more object-oriented programming languages (Java and python experience preferred),
• Practical experience with, and knowledge of, statistics (e.g. regression, distribution fitting, forecasting, bootstrapping) and one or more common statistical software packages (e.g. SAS, R)
• Proven high-level analytical skills and a methodical approach to data management and analysis
• Good knowledge of data privacy and security issues and the ability to maintain the strictest confidentiality when dealing with sensitive data or reports with restricted access.
• High-level organisational and time management skills with demonstrated expertise in managing input from multiple stakeholders
• A strong service orientation with proven ability to build successful working relationships with a variety of people, both internal and external, and to deliver on commitments made
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Unrestricted work rights in Australia

A PhD degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Public Health or related quantitative discipline plus experience in a health research or policy environment will also be highly regarded.

Further details

If this sounds interesting, please please click here to read more about the position.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria to jobs@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Senior Discrete Event Simulation Modeller.

Please contact Christine Whittall at decision.analytics@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close: 18 September 2022

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• The Sax Institute is inviting experienced simulation modellers to be on a shortlist of candidates for casual employment and consultant contracts
• Make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians
• Competitive salary and consultancy rates

About the Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

The Institute has an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and nearly 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 50 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

The Sax Institute’s Decision Analytics team uses simulation modelling and other analytical methods to develop adaptable decision support tools. These tools are developed in partnership with government departments, policy agencies and program planners in health and social sectors, providing them with a low-risk virtual environment to test potential impacts of different decisions before they are implemented in the real world.

About the role

This role will provide a unique opportunity to build simulation models to solve real-world problems and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians. Examples include strategic investments to reduce suicide deaths, planning and resource allocation optimisation to improve the efficiency and outcomes of hospital systems, managing and planning for infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19, and studying the dynamic relationships between human activities and the physical and social environment.

They will have a primary responsibility in the technical development of high-standard dynamic simulation models, as part of a collaborative and supportive team with diverse expertise in public health policy and planning, participatory and consensus building approaches, and evidence synthesis. They are likely to be involved in participatory model-building workshops with policy makers, researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience. The role may also include contributing to model documentation and dissemination of findings, and driving methodological innovations.

About the talent pool

The talent pool will be comprised of a small number of experienced simulation modellers. Applicants will first be assessed by their CVs and cover letters. Those considered eligible will be contacted within 10 business days to arrange a brief interview. When an opportunity emerges we will contact the person in the talent pool with the most relevant experience to determine their current availability. The terms and conditions of the work will be agreed for each project.

 About you – Selection Criteria

Essential

• PhD qualification or equivalent professional experience in one or more dynamic simulation modelling methods, i.e. system dynamics, discrete event, or agent-based modelling
• A demonstrated track record of developing dynamic simulation models for research or real world applications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills
• A healthy drive for excellence
• Strong time management skills to deliver models in short time frames

Preferred

• Experience with Stella Architect or AnyLogic software
• Knowledge of public health and policy, social and environmental determinants of health, and government policy decision-making
• Experience in participatory modelling and co-design process
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Ability to communicate technical details to lay audience
• Proficient in statistical software applications (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS, R)
• Commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Australians

Further details

To apply please send your CV to decision.analytics@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Simulation modeller. A cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria is strongly encouraged.

Please contact Christine Whittall on christine.whittall@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close: ongoing

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Scholarship:  The scholarship includes a stipend of $32,000 per annum (tax-exempt) plus $2000 per annum for professional development and research costs. Fee waivers will be considered for the successful candidate.

Contact: Professor Paul Kennedy

Duration: 3 years, with the option to extend for 6 months.

School: School of Computer Science

Closing date: When filled

Overview:

The combination of AI techniques such as machine learning and dynamic simulation modelling towards a hybrid modelling approach is a relatively new area of research. This combination of data-based and knowledge-based modelling lends itself to modelling complex systems that are partly based on causal relationships, but with outcomes also partly resulting from hidden dependencies that are represented in huge amounts of data.

Despite the integration of machine learning and other AI techniques into dynamic simulation modelling presenting a potentially valuable avenue for innovation within the field of simulation modelling, several questions remain, such as:

• Can simulation modelling generate data or information that can be used to train machine learning models in cases where data is unavailable or imperfect?
• How can AI improve the insights or outputs of simulation models?
• Can a hybrid machine learning/dynamic simulation model be applied in a real-world healthcare context to support health-related decision making and/or to improve systems of care?

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Children’s Hospital Westmead (CHW) is a data rich environment which is subject to rapid change. High quality, long term clinical data sets and registries covering staffing and resourcing, treatment, and patient outcomes are available in this setting. Making the best use of the available data is critical for optimising processes and outcomes, responding to change, and for future planning including to help evolve effective models of care for future built environments.

Working closely with the Decision Analytics team at the Sax Institute (a team focused on using advanced dynamic simulation modelling methods as well as research and visualisation technologies to develop timely, accessible decision support tools for policy and practice), this PhD scholarship will support a candidate to develop a research project to harness the available data to answer critical questions relevant to the delivery of services in the CHW PICU. The project will be centred around utilising and developing cutting edge methodologies tying together Discrete Event Simulation modelling with machine learning to make best use of the available data to inform service delivery in this setting. The research will address the questions posed above regarding the integration of these two techniques.

Who is Eligible

• Master’s degree by research or Bachelor’s degree with strong academic record which is equivalent to First-Class Honours
• Domestic students currently residing in Australia.
• Hold a valid working with children check to enable working on site at CHW

Selection Criteria     

• Demonstrated self-motivation and commitment to work on research topics.
• Demonstrated experience in the areas of machine learning and/or dynamic simulation modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in programming in Python, Java or related languages.
• Excellent written skills evidenced by scientific journal papers, conference papers, or technical reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills

Applicants must meet the eligibility and address all the selection criteria. In addition to the above eligibility criteria for the scholarship, students should meet the UTS admission requirements to UTS PhD program. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission are available at https://www.uts.edu.au/future-students/postgraduate/essential-info/admission-requirements.

Other Information

The position will be supported by supervisors:

• Dr Danielle Currie, Senior Simulation Modeller, Decision Analytics, Sax Institute
• Dr Marino Festa, Medical Co-Lead Paediatric Intensive Care and Medical Lead Kids Critical Care Research, Children’s Hospital at Westmead
• Prof Paul Kennedy – Head, School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology

This position will work closely with the Sax Institute and will have the opportunity to work in conjunction with the Decision Analytics team onsite in their Glebe office.

How to Apply       

In the first instance, interested applicants should send their CV, brief (maximum one page) supporting statement, three referees and publications (if applicable) to Prof Paul Kennedy at paul.kennedy@uts.edu.au.

Following the initial endorsement by the supervisor, applicants will go through the UTS online application process.