The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity now exists for a Research Assistant to join Burnet’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Team to work on projects connected to the Melbourne Supervised Injecting Room!

In this role, you will conduct fieldwork involving interviews and blood sample collection from participants in studies of drug use currently being undertaken at the Burnet Institute. There will be opportunities to contribute to a range of studies run by the team. Examples of these studies include:

• ‘VMAX’ – A prospective cohort study of people who use methamphetamine in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
• ‘MIX’ – a prospective study of people who inject drugs in Melbourne.
• ‘SIRX’ – a prospective cohort study of clients of the Melbourne Supervised Injecting Room

The Research Assistant will conduct interviews with (and possibly collect blood samples from) study participants; manage data collection; and, participate in the wider activities of the Alcohol and other Drug Research Group. Training will be provided in all aspects of the position (including phlebotomy if needed) and work will be undertaken under the supervision of the project investigators and senior members of the fieldwork team.

Refer to the position description for full details. This is a 0.4 – 0.6 FTE (optional) position, initially for a 1-year period with the possibility of extension. The role is outreach-based, working at various locations around Melbourne.

Let’s talk about you

We’re looking for someone who brings empathy, cultural humility and has experience working with priority populations. The following criteria are essential:

• Minimum 12 months’ experience working in community or support roles with priority populations including, but not limited to, people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, people impacted by the criminal justice system, or individuals from marginalised or underrepresented communities
• Minimum 12 months’ experience in a frontline support or client-facing role using interpersonal skills to engage respectfully and non-judgementally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, navigating sensitive conversations with empathy, maturity, and understanding
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, including being able to manage multiple research-related tasks
• A commitment to working collaboratively, contributing to a supportive team culture and engaging in regular debriefing, reflection and ongoing learning.

The following is preferable but not essential:

• A qualification in public health, psychology, social work, AOD, community services or other relevant area
• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology or related discipline
• Experience in the dissemination of research findings
• Statistical analysis skills and experience in the use of statistical software such as Stata/SPSS

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 – improving the health of vulnerable communities around the world.

We offer:

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

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation that uniquely links medical research with practical action to achieve better health for disadvantaged communities and help solve devastating global health problems.

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 Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Disease Elimination, Behaviours and Health Risks, and Health Security, 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). If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Research Assistant - Outreach Fieldworker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Click Apply and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Brief cover letter which includes a response to the following question: Tell us about a time you connected with someone from a very different background to your own. What helped build that connection, and what did you learn from the experience?

Applications not including a response to the above question will not be considered.

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. Current Australian working rights are required for all applicants.