Research Associate or Research Fellow (ORCHID Study)

The Rural Clinical School of WA

• Position can be predominately based in Albany or Bunbury or Geraldton or any other regional RCSWA site may be considered.
• Full-time or Part-time 0.5 FTE, fixed term appointment until 30 June 2027
• Salary range: Level A $74,236 - $99,905 p.a. (pro rata) plus 17% superannuation.
• Salary range: Level B $108,509 - $128,404 p.a (pro rata) plus 17% superannuation.
• Level of appointment will be comparable with qualifications and experience.
• Aboriginality is considered a genuine occupational qualification for this role as per Section 50D Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).

The University of Western Australia (UWA) Indigenous Strategy for research includes increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic staff at UWA and supporting them to build a research profile.

The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) is a unit within the UWA Medical School. The RCSWA spans a breadth of some 3,500kms across multiple sites in WA. The RCSWA conducts collaborative community and health services research to improve Aboriginal health outcomes in rural and remote Australia. 

About the team  

The ORCHID Study will help co-design and trial a family centred self-management support program for pregnant Aboriginal women with prediabetes. This project will also support the implementation of our simplified screening approaches. The ORCHID Study will help empower Aboriginal women and their families to make positive lifestyle choices aimed at improving birth outcomes and preventing progression of chronic diseases.

About the opportunity  

You will use your Aboriginal cultural knowledge and community networks under the direction of ORCHID Study Co-Leads, inclusive of an Aboriginal Research Fellow. You will work with the ORCHID Study team and participating communities and their health services to co-design and trial management strategies for Aboriginal women with prediabetes in pregnancy. You will also assist in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of simplified screening approaches for high blood glucose levels in pregnancy.

You will have the opportunity to yarn with Aboriginal women and their families, analyse and interpret these yarns, and share study results with communities and health services.

About you

Using your Aboriginal cultural knowledge and community networks you will work with the ORCHID Study team, participating communities and their health services co-design and trial management strategies for pregnant Aboriginal women with prediabetes. You will also assist in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of simplified screening approaches for high blood glucose in pregnancy

To be considered for this role, you will demonstrate: 

• Knowledge and deep understanding of Aboriginal culture and society, and health and wellbeing and commitment to Aboriginal community consultation and control
• Highly developed interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently, show initiative and work productively as part of a team
• Prior experience and skills in research including community research design, analysis and reporting is desirable.

Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description:  POSITION DESCRIPTION [Research Associate or Research Fellow] - Level [A or B] (1).pdf

This position will require the successful appointee to hold a current ‘C’ class driver’s licence.

The successful applicant will be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. This position is being advertised under Section 50 (D) of the WA Equal Opportunity Act. Aboriginality is considered a genuine requirement for this position.

You are required to address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria 

Closing date: Applications will remain open until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible for consideration.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact ORCHID Study co-leads: Professor Julia Marley at julia.marley@rcswa.edu.au or Aboriginal Research Fellow Erica Spry at erica.spry@rcswa.edu

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button. 

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace.  We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution.  We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.

• We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
• We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
• We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
• We have Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation and actively work to improve gender equity. 

Should you have any queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, contact the Talent team at talent-hr@uwa.edu.au with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry.