The Opportunity

Are you a talented and motivated early to mid-career researcher or public health physician? Do you have experience in public health, clinical trials, infectious disease epidemiology and/or surveillance? Then this could be the role for you!

An exciting opportunity exists for a Research Officer to join the Vector-borne Disease and Tropical Public Health (VBDTPH) Working group, a highly collaborative multi-disciplinary research group encompassing epidemiological, immunological, molecular and implementation research to inform the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based public health programs to accelerate the control and elimination of vector borne diseases such as malaria, arboviruses and lymphatic filariasis. We have strong links to research institutes and the national departments of health in tropical disease-endemic countries, in particular in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

This role will work closely with the Principal Investigators (at PNGIMR, Burnet & Menzies) and consortium partners MMV and PATH on a new 4-year UNITAID-funded VivAction project to strengthen Plasmodium vivax case management in Papua New Guinea. The project will generate evidence on the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of new P. vivax tools to inform policy change.

In this role, you will:

• Liaise and engage with relevant consortium partners and others to ensure technical oversight project activities and information flow that can support all of the project aims.
• Oversee the development, implementation and integration of all project activities, including protocol preparation, operational planning and implementation, supporting field staff, compliance with regulatory requirements, data management and analysis/reporting.
• Manage multiple ongoing working relationships, primarily facilitating close partnership with consortium partners and regular interaction with all representatives
• Collaborate with representatives from numerous technical and project partners and communicate with the technical team and various other project teams.
• Oversee the implementation of quality data management systems and conduct independent epidemiological analysis and reporting.
• Spend extended periods of time living and working in an international development setting

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a full-time position (0.8 FTE will also be considered), initially for a 1-year period with the possibility of extension. Work from the comfort of your own home or join us in the office, location is flexible!

Let’s talk about you

The successful incumbent will have:

• A Postgraduate qualification (Masters or PhD) relevant to the field of public health, clinical trials, surveillance and/or epidemiological research
• Sound knowledge and demonstrated experience of scientific methods including literature review, study design, study/trial monitoring, writing of reports/ publications
• Experience in data management and regulatory compliance with the ability to analyse, interpret, and present complex/large data sets using one or more statistical packages
• Experience in undertaking research in a cross-cultural context and be able to undertake work in a professional, ethical, flexible and culturally sensitive manner
• A robust track record of publishing and presenting research results, relative to opportunity
• Demonstrated interest in public health research in a development context

You will also possess strong written and oral communication skills which allow you to work effectively in a team environment. You act with sound judgement, sensitivity, and flexibility, and you exercise initiative in adapting preferred approaches when and where required. Willingness to spend extended periods of time living and working in an international development setting is also required. Demonstrated experience in malaria (or other infectious disease) surveillance and control activities would be a bonus!

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).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined in the attached position description)
• Resume including the names and contact details of three referees

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday, 13 June 2021.

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.