The Opportunity

Are you a researcher with a track record in immunisation research and expertise in the field of health system strengthening? Then this could be the role for you!

An exciting opportunity now exists for a Senior Research Officer to join Burnet. You will play a key role within Burnet’s Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health Working Group. This role will have a focus on the planning and implementation of immunisation and health systems strengthening projects with a focus on the identification of zero-dose children, service provision and workforce development in the Indo-Pacific region.

In this role, you will:

• Provide expertise and technical support in immunisation and health system strengthening at a national and regional level
• Foster the development and implementation of immunisation and health system strengthening projects with partner organisations (i.e., Ministries of Health, local health authorities, WHO and UNICEF)
• Support the development of evidence-based programming, policy, and advocacy in the areas of immunisation and health systems strengthening
• Contribute to the development of projects, proposals and funding submissions
• Disseminate the findings of research and development activities
• Indirect supervision and mentoring of junior staff
• Mentoring of students

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a full time, parental leave cover position, initially for a 1-year period with possibility of extension. Fully remote working is an option, so we are open to applicants based anywhere in Australia. You will also be provided flexible working hours to manage your own start and finish times.

Let’s talk about you

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Master’s degree in a related area (health system strengthening, immunisation, public health, international development)
• An emerging national and/or international track record in planning and implementation of public health projects, particularly in limited-resource settings
• Significant expertise and experience in the field of health system strengthening
• People management skills including teamwork, capacity building, collaboration, and communication

The following experience is preferable but not essential:

• An emerging national and/or international track record in planning and implementation of immunisation research and development with a focus on service provision, scale-up and workforce development
• An understanding of how new vaccine technology may be scaled up in local communities
• An understanding of the global vaccine/immunisation architecture (i.e., Gavi, WHO, UNICEF)

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – achieving a more equitable world through better health. Hear from some of our talented staff about their career journeys at Burnet here!

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter + statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined above and in the attached position description)

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or National Police Check. Australian working rights and evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19 will also be required.