First Nations Research Assistant

This role is for a First Nations Research Assistant / Research Officer (Identified Position) to join the Infectious Disease Implementation Science team at Burnet Institute. The base pay range is $96,978.00/yr - $112,344.00/yr. This is a special measures role and only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply, under the special measures provision, section 12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

This role contributes to the delivery of high-quality, Aboriginal-led research within the Public Health Discipline at Burnet Institute. It supports the development, implementation, and dissemination of community-based research grounded in Aboriginal knowledges, methodologies, and priorities. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team undertaking work where Aboriginal people are the primary participants or stakeholders or constitute a significant proportion of those the research team would engage with, and you will support Burnet's internal Indigenisation process contributing to systems change, cultural safety, and embedding Aboriginal ways of Knowing, Being and Doing within the organisation's culture and operations.

• Conduct literature reviews, synthesise evidence, including grey literature, and maintain up-to-date knowledge on research and evidence.
• Collaborate on the development and revision of research protocols and ethics submissions, ensuring adherence to relevant ethical standards.
• Recruit participants from a variety of backgrounds (e.g. service providers, people with lived experience of structural and social disadvantage, policy makers).
• Collect data using a variety of methods (e.g. interviews, yarns, yarning circles, focus groups, written surveys).
• Facilitate or co-facilitate workshops (e.g. co-design).
• Assist the development and maintenance of relevant Initiative documentation for communication and dissemination.
• Provide secretariat support for relevant Governance, Advisory and Reference Groups.
• Develop and conduct respectful and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal communities/Elders and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships and communication with external stakeholders, Burnet staff, and collaborators engaged with the Initiative.

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Bachelor Degree, Honours, or post-grad or equivalent qualification or experience in a related area or a relevant field.
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and have connection to / relationships with Aboriginal communities.
• Experience working directly with Aboriginal people in a health service, community or research setting.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking/supporting community-based research, action-based research and/or co-designed research projects and/or evaluation, with knowledge of ethically undertaking research with Aboriginal communities and experience in Aboriginal research methods and methodologies that prioritise Aboriginal knowledges, values and perspectives.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, communication and facilitation skills, and the ability to engage professionally with stakeholders and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, including the ability to self-direct and manage multiple research-related tasks.

• Proficiency in standard computing packages (Office 365 suite) and some experience or interest in learning research and design software (e.g. Stata, Nvivo, Miro).
• Knowledge of Aboriginal research methodologies, ways of Knowing, Being and Doing and understanding of evidence-based health and SEWB concepts.
• Experience working with key populations including people who use drugs, people who have been incarcerated, people with viral hepatitis and/or understanding of public health principles and frameworks.

Burnet is committed to a supportive workplace and a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect and excellence are valued. The Institute offers a flexible and inclusive environment, opportunities for career development, and a range of benefits.

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• Long service leave – up to 17.3 weeks (minimum 8.67) at 10 years of service
• Study leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian not-for-profit organisation focused on social justice, equality and evidence-based research. With more than 400 staff and students, Burnet works across cutting-edge research and projects to address global health issues. The Institute-wide programs include Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health. Burnet has offices in Melbourne and international programs in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, with dual accreditation from NHMRC and DFAT.

Click Apply and attach the following documents: Resume.

Applications close at 11:59pm AEST on Thursday, 18 September 2025.

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we monitor gender in recruitment processes. Burnet is a child-safe organisation; the successful applicant will be required to apply for a National Police Check and/or Working with Children. Current Australian working rights are required for all applicants.

Note: This is a 2-year fixed-term position. We are open to part-time and full-time options (0.6 – 1.0 FTE) with flexible working hours. Only 1.0 FTE may have the option of working from home for 2 days.