Senior Research Officer/Senior Research Fellow

Senior Research Officer/Senior Research FellowFull-time (100% FTE), fixed- term contract until 31 December 2022Based in Alice Springs About MenziesAs one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, and a leader in global and tropical research into life-threatening illnesses, Menzies School of Health Research continues to translate its research into effective partnerships and programs in communities across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.About the positionThe Senior Research Officer/Senior Research Fellow will join one of Australia’s leading health services research teams and provide assistance and support for the research activities led by key academic team members in relation to current and planned research projects.The main current project is "Understanding and responding to the cost and health impact of short term health staffing in remote and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health services’, which entails the detailed analysis of workforce characteristics and sequelae in community-controlled services in different geographical settings across two states.The position is located in Alice Springs and will require occasional travel for approximately one week at a time within Northern Territory and interstate to remote and rural health services. Part time appointment may be considered and the position is available until end 2022 with potential for extension.Primary responsibilitiesThe following responsibilities are not exhaustive and may include others as directed by the supervisor:Create independent and original contributions towards the research and academic endeavours.Contribute to the development of new priorities and strategic research directions, including the submission of grant proposals.Preparation and management of ethics applications relevant to the research program.Design and conduct collaborative and independent research, data analysis and synthesis.Coordinate research activities and manage project work, to ensure that team members are able to deliver required outputs within contractual timelines.Produce and contribute to written and oral reports for a variety of audiences and settings, for example in academic journals and conferences, policy reports and briefings, nontechnical summaries, community meetings and media presentations for lay audiences.Supervise or co-supervise research staff and postgraduate research students working on relevant projects involving qualitative data collection and/or analysis, interpretation and translation.Develop, enhance and participate actively in research engagement with other parties.An understanding and awareness of relevant Workplace Health and Safety as well as Equal Opportunity principles and legislation along with a commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe workplace for all Menzies staff, students, volunteers and visitors.Additional responsibilities for appointment at Academic Level C:Provide exemplary research and evaluation leadership, management and cultural integrity within all allocated research and evaluation projects including project planning, ethics preparation, recruitment, fieldwork, data analysis and reporting.Lead the development of new priorities and strategic research directions, including the submission of grant proposals.Lead effective and efficient administration and project management of multiple local and national research and evaluation projects and networks, including policy adherence, and reporting to funding bodies, human research and ethics committees and stakeholders.Establish and maintain effective and respectful research partnerships with key stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, services and organisations.Lead the preparation of high-quality academic papers and reports, suitable for peer-review and publication in top tier journals.Selection CriteriaEssential:A PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification with a record of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of tertiary qualification and relevant research experience using qualitative methods.Extensive experience in qualitative research and/or project evaluation and monitoring which demonstrates a strong track record, relevant methodological rigour and expertise.Demonstrated highly developed writing skills, including the ability to achieve tight deadlines, which has resulted in peer-reviewed publications and high level reports.Demonstrated understanding of ethical considerations of research and a high level of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information and material.Highly developed interpersonal skills and attributes including an ability to interact effectively in a culturally safe manner with people from diverse cultures.Demonstrated strong verbal communication, negotiation and liaison skills in a cross-cultural setting.Demonstrated ability to present research findings in a clear and engaging way to academic, professional and community audiences.Demonstrated organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads, work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and achieve results.Demonstrated ability to work under broad direction, as part of a multidisciplinary team and in collaboration with others.Excellent computer skills including demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office software, online literature and reference databases and data analysis software.Additional selection criteria for appointment at Academic Level C:A PhD with a record of relevant research experience or equivalent.Demonstrated experience in leading and managing high-quality, nationally-relevant, culturally-responsive, and independently-led research and evaluation projects relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in a research and/or teaching institution of national standing.Demonstrated experience working independently and showing leadership and initiative within a research and evaluation context, to set priorities, coordinate tasks and meet deadlines.Exemplary written and verbal communication skills with a proven track record in writing high quality peer-reviewed scholarship and successful grants; and experience presenting at national and international conferences.Desirable:Demonstrated experience and skills in mixed methods research. Special provisions: Willingness and ability to travel for approximately one week at a time in the NT and interstate to remote and rural health services (by light aircraft or 4WD).Willingness to comply with the Central Australia Health Services Staff Immunisation Policy and provide proof of compliance (e.g. through serology).Ability to obtain and maintain a current Working with Children Check (OCHRE card) Contact: John Wakerman 0417 884 182 or john.wakerman@menzies.edu.auWhat we offer:6 weeks annual leaveOption to increase super to 14%Attractive salary package and benefits $121,683 - $164,433 salary package (including superannuation and salary packaging benefits equivalent to a gross salary $96,834-133,498 pa, pro-rata)Closing date:  Sunday, 1 August 2021Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to applyApplicants are required to address the selection criteria. For information on how to apply for this position and to obtain the Position Description and Selection Criteria please visit https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/Careers/Information_for_applicants/  or phone 08 8946 8626.  Position Description - Senior Research Officer/Fellow AUD Alice Springs 0780