Research Officer - The Kirby Institute (Indigenous Targeted)

• Employment Type: Full - time (35 hours a week)
• Duration: 12 Months Fixed Term contract
• Remuneration: $103,866 base, plus 17% superannuation and leave loading 
• Work rights required: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.
• Location: Hybrid,Kensington, Sydney
• Benefits: Cultural Leave and Indigenous Employee Network

Whilst this role is open to everyone, we strongly encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to apply. 

About The Kirby Institute:

The Kirby Institute is a world-leading health research institute at UNSW Sydney. We work to eliminate infectious diseases, globally. Our specialisation is in developing health solutions for the most at-risk communities. Putting communities at the heart of our research, we develop tests, treatments, cures and prevention strategies that have the greatest chance of success.

Details of the role

A Research Officer plays a key role in advancing infectious disease research as part of a multidisciplinary team committed to improving health outcomes for priority populations across Australia. The role provides technical and research assistance to senior researchers across a range of studies focused on infectious disease prevention, diagnostics, and health service delivery. Through this work, the Research Officer will contribute to research that supports health equity and delivers meaningful community impact.

This is an opportunity to contribute to impactful research spanning the full study lifecycle — from protocol development and ethics submissions through to data analysis, reporting, publication, and dissemination. Working closely with experienced researchers, you will support both quantitative and qualitative research activities, coordinate day-to-day project operations, and help ensure studies are delivered to agreed timelines and high ethical standards. The role also involves engaging with community partners, organisations, and data custodians to support collaborative, rigorous, and real-world research outcomes.

The role reports to the Research Fellow and has no direct reports.

Some key skills required:

• Relevant qualifications in public health or related discipline or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health care and/ or infectious diseases.
• Demonstrated experience in project management specifically in public health.
• Knowledge of research protocols, experimental design and planning as involved in developing research projects and reporting against milestones.
• Perform quantitative/qualitative data analyses as required by the research project.
• Contribute to developing reports, manuscripts for publication and tenders or grants for external funding.
• Experience working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Demonstrated experience using STATA or similar software will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, ideally with organisations in alignment with this program.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.

Please refer to the position description for full details.

UNSW Benefits and Culture 

• 17% Superannuation and leave loading​ 
• Flexible working ​ 
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period​ 
• Access to lifelong learning and career development ​ 
• Progressive HR practices​ 

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.  

In addition to creative a safe and inclusive workplace for our Indigenous staff, we offer other great staff benefits, such as career development opportunities, generous superannuation, additional leave over the end of the year, and other discounts. You can find more information here.  

To find out more about how we support our Indigenous staff and grow their careers, refer to this page Careers at UNSW for Indigenous Australians | UNSW Sydney 

To access our Indigenous Strategy, refer to https://www.indigenous.unsw.edu.au/  

Pre-Employment Checks:

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

How to apply:

Please click on Apply now to apply online. Applications should not be sent to the contact listed below. Please provide a resume and a copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Any questions? 

For any questions about the kind of support available for our Indigenous staff, get in touch with our Manager, Indigenous Employment, Nat Chenhall: n.chenhall@unsw.edu.au 

Contact

Frank McHenry, Talent Acquisition Associate

E:  f.mchenry@unsw.edu.au    

Applications close: Sunday 14^th June before 11.30pm Sydney time

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.