Founded in 1987 by a group of visionary dermatologists, the Skin Health Institute is a unique organisation providing the very best in diagnosis, treatment and patient care; education and skin health advocacy; and research and trials that help shape clinical practice around the world.
The Institute is the only centre in Victoria dedicated to furthering the three pillars of skin treatment, education and research. We work closely with the Australasian College of Dermatologists to provide world-class education to local, national and international audiences comprising medical, nursing and allied health staff. We embrace a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach with a multi-skilled team to provide excellence in our core areas.
Currently, there are dermatologists, plastic surgeons, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a podiatrist, a rheumatologist, an oral mucosal specialist, specialist nurses, and other allied health care professionals, all working together to deliver the highest quality support and care to our patients.
In all our work, we aim to improve skin health and awareness for all Australians, and every day, we work to advance treatments in dermatology.
Benefits of working at Skin Health Institute
Staff at SHI enjoy the benefits of working within a highly specialised supportive team environment with access to training and development opportunities. We offer:
- Subsidised car parking and located close to public transport
- Generous not for profit salary packaging up to $15,900 plus $2650 meal/entertainment
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program
- Regular staff forums and social events
- Training opportunities and supportive team.
RESEARCH FELLOW POSITIONS
The following Research Fellow positions are open for 2026.
These positions are funded by Melbourne Pathology and called Melbourne Pathology Research Fellows. The three roles provide an opportunity for the successful candidates to work and receive training at the Skin Health Institute from dermatology leaders recognised for their expertise in their specialty areas.
How to Apply
Please send your application as one document (CV and cover letter combined into one document, labelled with your first and last name and PGY status) to [email protected].
Applications are assessed on medical experience, academic record and higher degrees, presentations and publications, interest in dermatology, leadership and volunteering, and rural engagement.
Due Date
Applications are due by midnight on Sunday August 3. Â There will be a short-listing process and interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 20 August in the evening.
The roles are based in the Trials Department and the Fellows will be involved with the day-to-day running of clinical trials, with Fellows responsible for the comprehensive management of patients participating in clinical trials. This position involves (but is not limited to):Â
- assessing patients’ eligibility for trials based on study protocols
- assisting in recruiting and identifying possible candidates for clinical trials
- clinical consultations to trial participants
- assessing response to treatment including adverse side effects evaluating participant response to investigational therapies using standardised assessment tools, including identifying and managing adverse side effects.
- accurate and timely documentation of clinical findings and trial-related data
- assisting in designated clinics under the supervision of the visiting dermatologists.
The position is supervised by A/Prof Peter Foley. It may involve participating in (paid) overseas investigator meetings with pharmaceutical companies (sponsors). In past years, those selected for this role have already achieved a reasonable number of publications and presentations and have been close to obtaining a dermatology registrar position
This position is supervised by A/Prof Alvin Chong, whose area of interest is skin cancers in immunosuppressed transplant patients. He is also very interested in dermatology education and has established a very successful and innovative podcast, Spot Diagnosis.
The areas include:
EducationÂ
- Scripting, organising and co-hosting the Spot Diagnosis Podcast
- Assisting and helping the Education Team in designing and executing their education program. This includes facilitation and accreditation of GP workshops.
- Creation of education resources under the supervision of dermatologists
- Publication of educational articles under the supervision of dermatologists.
Research
- Administration of the Transplant and Skin Cancer Database
- Administration of ongoing research projects: eg Siroskin Trial
- Participation in new research projects under the supervision of dermatologists
- Publication of research articles under the supervision of dermatologists
Clinical work
- Working as Clinical Fellow in various subspecialty clinics depending on the SHI roster
The Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre (ODREC) was established in 2001 at the Skin Health Institute and our interest lies in occupational contact dermatitis. A/Prof Rosemary Nixon AM, Director of ODREC, has mentored many research fellows, starting in 2000 at Monash Medical Centre.
The successful applicant will attend the Occupational Dermatology Clinic, a patch testing clinic held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings of the same week. The clinic is usually held twice monthly and is staffed by A/Prof Nixon and/or dermatologists Dr Jenny Cahill and/or Dr Adriene Lee and/or Dr Claire Higgins. Research fellows will be involved in following up details of exposures from workplaces and manufacturers. When no clinics are being held, research fellows participate in research projects. Amanda Palmer is our clinic nurse co-coordinator and the instigator of our web-based database Patchcams, which has all our clinic data from 1993 and is very useful for research projects.
Ultimately, we prefer people who like medical dermatology and who think they may be interested in this area. Surgical-leaning people should not apply! Some people come and visit a clinic beforehand to see exactly what we do, but this is not always possible to arrange, especially with large numbers of overseas dermatologists/interstate registrars and elective students all wanting to visit the clinic.
There is the potential to assist with other research projects: these may or may not be funded. It may be possible for instance, to attend the Institute for one half day a week, perhaps to work in a particular clinic. It may be possible that other dermatologists at SHI have projects for supervision. There are many sub-specialty clinics at SHI. More information will be available by the time of the interviews.
VACANCIES
If you would like to have a confidential discussion about working at the Institute, please contact: Michelle Murphy | [email protected]
OBSERVERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you for your interest in joining the Skin Health Institute through an observership.
At this time, we are unable to accept unsolicited applications for internships, placements, or rotations unless they are facilitated by a current member of our team. This approach ensures a structured and equitable process for all applicants.
We encourage you to stay engaged with us. If you are interested in Research Fellow opportunities, please visit our website regularly for updates on available positions above.
We appreciate you’re understanding and wish you every success in your professional journey. Thank you again for considering the Skin Health Institute as part of your career path.
If you have a query before applying, you are welcome to contact us at [email protected].