Aboriginal Research Fellow

About The Team

The Ngangk Yira Institute for Change (Ngangk Yira) is one of the four key Murdoch University institutes that bring together leading researchers from centres and across the University to deliver world class multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary translational research that benefits the Aboriginal community government and industry. Ngangk Yira brings together the disciplines that contribute to ensuring quality research evidence underpins Murdoch University’s commitment to excellence in Aboriginal health and social equity research.

Ngangk Yira is founded on principles of meaningful community engagement, professional collaborations, and Aboriginal-led research. These, together with engagement of Aboriginal Elders, Aboriginal communities, and the preservation of cultural wisdom and data sovereignty, ensures Ngangk Yira is championing meaningful, co-designed research for the health and social equity of Aboriginal people, families, and communities.

Your New Role

This role will support the effective implementation of the Coolamon Wraparound Care Program in the ICARE project funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), a project aimed at improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing during pregnancy, irth and the early years within Western Australia and South Australia.

Your key responsibilities will include
- Working with the ICARE Project team in WA & SA to connect, advocate, and support mothers and families to access identified prioritised resources, services, and facilitate the use of the drug and alcohol app or other interventions/strategies to ensure effective program implementation.
- Facilitate and coordinate access to services such as counselling, legal support, drug and alcohol counselling, transport assistance and housing support as identified through the Baby Coming You Ready program.
- Negotiate with clinical and managerial stakeholders to identify and seek solutions for the implementation of Coolamon in WA sites.
- Maintain a consistent flow of program implementation information to the ICARE investigator team, as well as Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and agencies, and Aboriginal communities.
- Supervise and support the WA-based research assistants to ensure the ICARE program is delivered.
- Participate in the ICARE projects research aims as an early career researcher and member of a research team.
- Present research findings at academic and non-academic forums, including conferences and seminars.
- Contribute to the drafting of research papers for scholarly journals and other required documents.

Please refer to the

Position Description

for further details.

What We Offer You

This Fixed Term (ending 11/2027) | Part Time (30 hours per week) attracts a remuneration of $111,000 - $131,000 (pro rata) plus 17% employer superannuation contributions.

You’ll join a dynamic and talented team where diversity and innovation thrive. Our Silver-tier status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), awarded in 2025, reflects our commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, equity, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for all. We strive to be the university of choice for First Nations peoples, honouring Indigenous knowledge. Sustainability is central to our community and guided by clear, confident leadership, we are working toward an ambitious future with goals of net zero emissions and zero waste by 2030.

As well as the flexibility to maintain a work life balance, our staff enjoy a vibrant, natural campus with world-class facilities, along with a variety of benefits, including:

- Periodic salary increases between 1 July 2025 to 1 July 2026 totalling an 6% increase
- Flexible work arrangements
- Cultural Load and allowance - providing up to $8,944 per year to First Nations employees who are contributing cultural knowledge and perspectives beyond the scope of their role
- Indigenous Language Allowance
- Salary packaging options - such as purchasing leave, gym membership, car parking permit
- Employee Assistance Program
- On-campus services and facilities, such as a Childcare Centre, Gym, Vet Hospital, and Chiropractic Clinic

For further information, check out our

benefits and services page



Join us
- A cover letter including a statement addressing the selection criteria (with reference to the Position Description)
- Your most recent resume (CV)

What you’ll bring to the role:

- Master’s degree or extensive recent experience in Aboriginal maternal and/or infant/child health.
- Background and/or experience in one or more of: maternal, child or family care, community health, or Indigenous health.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain effective and culturally safe interactions with diverse Aboriginal people in urban, regional, and remote communities.
- Experience working with multiple partners and teams.
- Ability to work under broad direction only, exercise initiative in undertaking responsibilities, work effectively and co