Clinical Research Assistant – SUPER-Ed

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
 Clinical Research Assistant
- Full time, 18-month fixed term role
- Parkville location, with multiple public transport options available  
- $66,768 + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave 
 
About the role
We are seeking a Clinical Research Assistant to join the Medical Oncology Research team.
The Research Assistant will primarily provide support for the Solving Unknown Primary CancER – Early Diagnosis & Education (SUPER-ED) research study. The role is supervised by the SUPER-ED Project Manager and will assist with all aspects of patient recruitment, data collection and management, administration, and other research duties as required. The Research Assistant will have the potential to contribute to other related research projects as directed.
 
The main duties of the role include (but are not limited to):
- Assisting in the conduct of the project
- Assisting in the development of the project
- Participating in professional development and education
- Mentoring
 
About you
You will be someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, who is able to build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. 
You'll bring with you:
- A relevant tertiary health sciences degree or final year of study (honours would be highly regarded)
- An excellent understanding of ICH-GCP, National Statement and privacy legislation
- A high level of interpersonal skills
- A knowledge of medical terminology is highly desirable
 
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:
· Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
· Discounted health insurance and eye care
· A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
· Public transport options at our doorstep and end of journey facilities for cyclists
· Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
· Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
· Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, monthly ADO's and purchased leave options
 
Inclusion and belonging
Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.
 
Join us
If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check, and may require a valid Working with Children Check. Many staff are required to be vaccinated against, or demonstrate immunity to, COVID-19, influenza, and a range of other diseases.
Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.
 
For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Natalie Richards via email

Applications Close: 11:59pm Sunday 16 November 2025

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Position Summary

This is a full time 1.0 EFT position and is within the Department of Medical Oncology at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The Research Assistant will primarily provide support for the Solving Unknown Primary CancER – Early Diagnosis & Education (SUPER-ED) research study. The role is supervised by the SUPER-ED Project Manager and will assist with all aspects of patient recruitment, data collection and management, administration, and other research duties as required. The Research Assistant will have the potential to contribute to other related research projects as directed.

SUPER-ED is a project funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) led by Prof Linda Mileshkin to improve the diagnosis and treatment for patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). The study is implementing a stepped-wedge cluster randomised control trial of 240 patients diagnosed with CUP across 15 health services in Australia.

The aims of the study are (1) to develop a new model of care that adopts a standardised diagnostic workup supported by a world-first national virtual CUP-dedicated Multi-Disciplinary Meeting (MDM) (2) embedding a CUP care coordinator in local health services (3) developing a CUP educational interactive website to enhance education and engagement of treating clinicians and consumers; (4) implementing the new model of care across an existing and expanding network of oncology services to enable rapid, accurate diagnosis and greater access to clinical trials and appropriate management.

 

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Adminstrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range

HS2

Immunisation Risk Category

Category B: Position unlikely to have contact with blood or other body fluid 

Key Relationships

Internal

• Research participants & their caregivers.
• Multidisciplinary team members.
• All Peter Mac Clinical Research staff.
• Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators
• Departments implicated in clinical research, such as pathology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, pharmacy
• Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)
• Clinical Research Support Team

External

• Swinburne University
• University of Melbourne
• Investigators and site staff at other institutions
• External laboratories and diagnostic imaging centres

Education Skills

Essential Requirements 

• A relevant tertiary health sciences degree or final year of study (honours would be highly regarded)
• Excellent understanding of ICH-GCP, National Statement and privacy legislation 
• Experience in preparation of ethics and governance applications
• High level of interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team and to manage relationships with external stakeholders, including research participants and partner organisations.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills including research writing, written and oral communication, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organisational skills with a high level of attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills with the ability to carry out literature searches and critical reviews.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel essential).
• Demonstrated ability to collect and manage data using REDCap database (or similar data management system).
• A valid police check.

Desirable Requirements 

• Understanding of medical terminology 
• Experience and knowledge of research principles and methodologies including co-design; randomised controlled trials; behavioural; health services research and implementation science methodology.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations Key Accountabilities

1. Assist in the conduct of the project

• Undertake research duties under the direction of the Project Manager and Chief Investigator of the SUPER-ED study.
• Assist with participant recruitment activities including screening, consenting, and enrolling participants.
• Undertake data collection and maintenance using the REDCap database management system.
• Attend and write up minutes for internal and external meetings/workshops with subject matter experts and senior stakeholders to achieve project outcomes in a timely manner.
• Provide assistance and liaise with working party streams: Project Management, New Model of Care, CUP Website design and Implementation.

2. Assist in the development of the project

• Conduct literature searches and reviews; appraise previous research to inform current project operations and outcomes.
• Assist in the write up of the study protocol and supplementary documents.
• Assist in the preparation of ethics applications and amendments.

3. Professional development and education

• Commit to continuing professional development and participate in performance review/appraisal.
• Engage in professional development activities to remain up-to-date in cancer care and evidence-based practice (e.g. attend relevant research seminars/conferences).

4. Mentoring

• Provide advice and support professional placement students regarding research assistant duties.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

• Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
• Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
• We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

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