The University of Sydney is recruiting a clinician-scientist for the Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology, a professorial post funded through the Parker-Hughes Bequest. The University of Sydney chair of diagnostic radiology job is a five-year, full-time fixed-term appointment based on a NSW Health site in the Camperdown precinct, and applications close on 24 November 2026 at 11:59pm Sydney time. Visa sponsorship and relocation help are available if needed, so overseas radiologists can apply.
You need an internationally recognised research record in diagnostic radiology or medical imaging, a history of winning competitive grants, and the clinical qualifications and registration to practise. The advert does not publish a salary; it promises a remuneration package matched to the responsibilities of the post. This guide covers the duties, what the university is asking for, how to apply with a CV and cover letter, and how this chair compares with other senior medical posts open now.
Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Job title | The Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology |
| Employer | The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health |
| School contact | Professor Mark Halaki, Head of School and Dean, Sydney School of Health Sciences |
| Location | NSW Health site, Camperdown, Sydney |
| Contract | Full time, fixed term of five years, subject to probation for new appointees |
| Funding | Established through the Parker-Hughes Bequest |
| Salary | Not stated; “attractive remuneration package” commensurate with the role |
| Visa sponsorship | Available if required |
| Relocation | Assistance available if required |
| Documents | CV and a cover letter addressing the role requirements |
| Published | 26 October 2026 |
| Deadline | 24 November 2026, 11:59pm (Sydney time) |
What the Parker-Hughes Chair does
This is a research leadership chair with a clinical component. The advert asks for someone to lead an internationally recognised research programme in diagnostic radiology and medical imaging, and to shape where that programme goes. The main duties are:
- Setting a research vision for diagnostic radiology and leading major initiatives and partnerships across the university, health services, research institutes, industry and government.
- Working with clinical partners, including Sydney Local Health District, so that research turns into changes in clinical practice and new technology.
- Contributing to clinical radiology services and to teaching.
- Winning competitive research funding.
- Recruiting, mentoring and supervising researchers and higher degree by research (PhD and research master’s) students.
- Building an inclusive, collegial research culture.
The post is “located on a NSW Health site”, so the role is based at a public health service site. The advert does not name the hospital or set out the split between clinical and academic time, so ask Professor Halaki about the clinical sessions and the conjoint arrangements before you apply.
Requirements
The advert’s “About you” section lists seven areas. In plain terms:
| Area | What the advert asks for |
|---|---|
| Research standing | A distinguished, influential research record and international recognition in diagnostic radiology, medical imaging or a related field |
| Funding | A track record of winning competitive funding and leading major programmes |
| Vision and partnerships | Ability to set a research direction and build multidisciplinary collaborations |
| Translation | Commitment to turning research into clinical, technological or policy impact |
| People | Experience developing researchers, students and high-performing teams |
| Clinical | Appropriate clinical qualifications, registration and credentials for the clinical side of the post |
| Stakeholders | Ability to build networks across health services, industry and government |
The advert does not split these into essential and desirable lists. The full position description and a candidate brochure are linked from the listing; read both, because the selection criteria in the position description are what the panel scores.
Clinical registration if you trained outside Australia
The advert asks only for “appropriate” clinical qualifications and registration. In general, practising medicine in Australia requires registration with the Medical Board of Australia through Ahpra, and overseas-trained radiologists usually go through specialist assessment with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). That process takes time. If you are not already registered in Australia, ask the school early how they plan to handle registration alongside the start date, and mention your status in your cover letter.
Salary and package
No figure is published. The advert says the successful candidate will receive an attractive package that reflects the responsibilities, experience and qualifications involved. Named chairs funded by a bequest are usually negotiated individually, and for clinician-academics the package often combines a university salary with arrangements for clinical work. Ask about salary, superannuation, clinical earnings, research start-up funds and relocation support at the offer stage, and get each item in writing.
For context only, the University of Sydney’s education-focused lecturer posts advertised the same week list Academic Level B at AUD 132,533 to 157,381 plus 17% superannuation. A named professorial chair sits well above that level, and the university has not published the figure for this role.
Visa sponsorship and pre-employment checks
The advert says visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are available if required. That makes this one of the more open senior medical posts for international candidates. Before you start, you will need to clear:
- Background checks run by the university.
- A declaration of any investigation or finding relating to sexual harm or gender-based violence in previous employment or legal processes.
- NSW Health compulsory employment checks, because the post is on a NSW Health site.
How to apply for the University of Sydney chair of diagnostic radiology job
- Read the position description and candidate brochure: both are linked from the THE Unijobs listing.
- Have a confidential conversation if you want one: Professor Mark Halaki (mark.halaki@sydney.edu.au) can answer questions about the role. Dr Mushtaq Sobhan, Senior Talent Partner (mushtaq.sobhan@sydney.edu.au), handles confidential discussions and reasonable adjustments.
- Prepare your CV: list grants (amount, role, funder), major publications, leadership roles, supervision, and your clinical qualifications and registrations.
- Write the cover letter: explain how you meet each requirement in the advert and position description.
- Apply online: use the “Apply” button on the listing. Current University of Sydney staff and contingent workers apply through Workday.
- Submit before 24 November 2026, 11:59pm Sydney time: that is 12:59pm GMT the same day, since Sydney is on daylight saving time (UTC+11) in November.
How to write the cover letter
For a chair, the cover letter does the work a research statement does elsewhere. Aim for three to four pages and organise it around the seven areas the advert lists.
- Opening: the chair you are applying for, your current post and your research area in two sentences.
- Research leadership: the programme you lead now, its main results, and where it is published.
- Funding: your biggest competitive grants and programme leadership, with figures.
- Vision for the chair: what you would build in five years at Sydney, and which partners you would work with. Mention Sydney Local Health District, because the advert names it.
- Translation: one or two concrete examples of research that changed imaging practice, a protocol, a device or a policy.
- People: researchers and PhD students you have trained and where they are now.
- Clinical: your qualifications, registration status and the clinical contribution you can make.
A sample opening, for illustration only: “I am applying for the Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology. I am a consultant radiologist and lead a funded imaging research group working on quantitative MRI, and I would bring that programme, its industry partners and its doctoral students to Sydney.”
What the selection process looks like
The advert does not set out the stages. For named chairs at Australian universities, the usual pattern is a shortlist by a selection committee, a confidential reference check, an interview with a panel that includes faculty leadership and clinical partners, and often a public presentation of your research vision. Because this role is on a NSW Health site, expect the health partner to have a voice. The five-year term starts with a probation period for new appointees, according to the advert.
Common mistakes
- Writing a generic research CV without grant amounts, roles and outcomes.
- Ignoring the clinical side. The chair contributes to clinical services, so the panel will want clear evidence of your clinical standing.
- Leaving registration questions until after an offer. For overseas candidates, this is often the longest step.
- Describing a vision that does not mention Sydney’s partners. The advert specifically names Sydney Local Health District.
- Missing the time zone. 11:59pm in Sydney on 24 November is earlier in the day in Europe and Africa.
Who should apply and who shouldn’t
Apply if you are a radiologist or imaging scientist with a strong international profile, a grant record at programme level, and experience leading a team that has trained researchers. Associate professors with an exceptional record and a clear plan can also make a case, though the language of the advert points to someone already at professor level.
I wouldn’t apply if your work is mainly clinical with little funded research, or if you are an early-career researcher; the post is built around leading an established programme. Medical imaging scientists without clinical registration should read the clinical requirement carefully and ask the school whether a non-clinical profile can fit.
Similar senior medical and health jobs open now
| Role | Institution | Salary | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Chair of Infectious Diseases | University of Sydney | Not stated | 28 November 2026 |
| Deputy Dean (Research) / Associate Dean (Research), Medicine and Health | University of Sydney | Not stated | 4 November 2026 |
| Tenure-Track Professor/Associate/Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology | The University of Hong Kong | Competitive (not stated) | 21 January 2027 |
| Vice-Dean and Head of School, Medical Sciences and Health Sciences | University of Manchester, UK | Not stated | 4 November 2026 |
About the University of Sydney and living in Sydney
The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is a member of the Group of Eight research universities. The THE employer page lists about 7,616 full-time employees, and the advert refers to 78 research centres and institutes across the university. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026) Sydney is 28th in the world, and in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 (released 30 September 2026) it is 51st and second in Australia.
The Camperdown precinct sits next to central Sydney and brings the university, hospitals and medical research institutes close together. Sydney is one of Australia’s most expensive cities, with housing the largest cost, so check what relocation and settling-in support the package includes. If you are mentoring students who want to study in Australia, our guide to Deakin University scholarships covers one funded route.
FAQs about the Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology
When is the deadline for the University of Sydney radiology chair?
Applications close on 24 November 2026 at 11:59pm Sydney time, which is 12:59pm GMT that day.
Does the University of Sydney sponsor visas for this chair?
Yes. The advert says visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are available if required.
What is the salary of the Parker-Hughes Chair of Diagnostic Radiology?
No figure is published. The university offers an attractive package commensurate with the role, negotiated with the successful candidate.
Is the chair a permanent position?
No. It is a five-year, full-time fixed-term appointment, with probation for new appointees. The advert does not mention renewal terms.
Sources and updates
Checked on 29 October 2026 against the Times Higher Education Unijobs listing 416972 (published 26 October 2026), the University of Sydney’s news release on the THE World University Rankings 2027, and Time Out Australia’s report of the QS World University Rankings 2027. The position description and candidate brochure are linked from the listing. Salary and the clinical time split are not published. We will update this page if the deadline changes or the appointment is announced.
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