Research Assistant

Location: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Adelaide

Job Category: Disability

• Enhance your research skills, gain experience in ethics applications, data management, and publications.
• Join a purpose driven not for profit to support high-quality research that improves the lives of people with disability.
• Full-Time or Part-Time opportunities (negotiable), with flexible working arrangements, attractive salary including salary packaging benefits.

ABOUT US

Summer Foundation has been at the forefront of change for people with disability. Over 18 years, we've honed a unique approach, driving policy, innovation, and systemic reform to stop younger people with disability being forced into aged care. However, despite our many successes, the problem of finding appropriate housing and living support for people who require access to 24/7 support remains. Summer Foundation has embarked on a bold new agenda to identify, design and scale up innovative user-led housing and living solutions that are high quality and affordable to government.

Our work culture is intentional, inclusive, and growth-oriented. We thrive on collaboration, innovation, strategic thinking and evidence-based research, all driven by a fierce commitment to deliver better outcomes for people with disability. We are among the top 10% of Australia's most engaged organisations, and we're continually improving how we work and grow together.

ABOUT YOU

You are a compassionate individual with a background in psychology, nursing, or health sciences, driven by a passion to improve the lives of people with disability. With a keen interest in research, you value the importance of lived experience and are eager to grow your expertise while contributing to meaningful systems change.

Your skills and experience:

• Strong organisational skills, the capacity to successfully manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to research and research outputs (e.g., ethics applications, project descriptions, literature reviews, peer-reviewed publications).
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships within the sector.
• Knowledge of the NDIS desirable.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Research Assistant at Summer Foundation you will contribute to impactful research focused on the lived experiences of people with disability. You will support independent and team-based research, helping to develop expertise and drive meaningful change through evidence-based insights.

Your key responsibilities:

Research Data Collection and Administration

• Assess participant suitability, apply clinical judgment to ensure appropriate interview times and administration of measures.
• Conduct interviews according to established protocols and collect standardised measures, accommodating any communication needs.
• Ensure data accuracy and completeness by reviewing and editing collected information, following up with participants to resolve any issues.

Research Preparation

• Develop or assist in the research life cycle of a participant including recruitment, creating interview schedules and project-related documents.
• Assist in preparing ethics applications and manuscripts.
• Conduct literature searches and reviews to support the research process.

Our office is based in Box Hill, VIC however this role offers flexible working arrangements and can be based in other locations across Australia.

Summer Foundation encourages people with lived experience of disability to apply.

We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within Summer Foundation. That's why we hire diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process or documents please reach out to recruitment@summerfoundation.org.au or 1300 935 717.

Explore more, access the PD on our website and apply.

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we live, and pay our respect to elders past and present.

Contact Us: PO Box 108, Box Hill VIC 3128 Ph: 1300 626 560 | Email us