Summary
Full-Time or Part-Time, 12-Month Contract
At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.
The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme (AHE) at SAHMRI is a leading national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led unit dedicated to wellbeing and achieving health equity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia through quality and safe health and medical research. Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA) sits within the SAHMRI Women and Kids theme. ACRA is dedicated to improving Aboriginal birthing, early childhood, family health and wellbeing outcomes, and services providing health and social care supports.
An exciting opportunity is now available for a Research Fellow to join SAHMRI working collaboratively between the Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity theme and the Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA). In this position you will work with the services, community and ICARE Investigator team to establish data governance structures and implement indigenous data sovereignty principles. You will work collaboratively a range of project stakeholders to build understanding around data governance, and map qualitative and quantitative datasets used within iCARE. The role will oversee secure data access processes for administrative data and secure repositories for study data, as well as maintaining data documentation and records of data collection and access. Working closely with the data governance group, you will develop and test maternal and early child health indicators and support the investigator team with publications and research communications and translation.
About the role

Key responsibilities include:

• Identify and establish an agreed Aboriginal Data Governance structure/s for iCARE, developed using Data Sovereignty principles and with Aboriginal Data governance groups and mechanisms.
• Work within a team and independently to map data across projects, contribute to systems for harmonising data, support the management of data.
• Successfully complete a review of indicators, contribute information to ethics applications and reporting requirements.
• Provide input to and support project evaluation.
• Contribute to and participate in Wardliparingga Theme and ACRA initiatives, including special projects to continuously improve processes, tools, systems and organisation.
• Ensure research activities and other outputs are compliant and aligned with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and working to the principles of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord.
• Support the mentorship, training, professional development and/or supervision of trainees, undergraduate, post graduate research students, peers and senior program leads as applicable.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• A tertiary qualification in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, Aboriginal Health and/ or extensive relevant experience in Aboriginal Affairs and/or Governance is essential.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal health and social care systems and health policies relating to data management.
• Understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics with some experience working with health datasets.
• Proven leadership experience engaging and collaborating effectively with Aboriginal communities, leaders, ACCHOs, ACCOs, and LHNs and accurately reflecting Aboriginal voices in written formats.
• Experience working effectively to an Aboriginal Governance Group.
• Experience communicating effectively including negotiating with a wide range of senior health and social service stakeholders, including data custodians, researchers, and service providers.
• Synthesis of evidence using systematic and scoping review methodologies.
• Preparation and presentation of information to a variety of audiences including Aboriginal community accountability forums, policy, researchers, at conferences.
• Understanding or willingness to learn skills in project management, change management and stakeholder management, governance, tools and techniques.
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to manage time and priorities effectively, use initiative and meet deadlines.
• Experienced working independently and as an effective and supportive team member.
• Skills to balance research outcomes, timely reporting and team outcomes.

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work and travel may be required.
• DCSI Employment Screening may be required.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community. Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.
As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.
For a copy of the position description, please click here.
For more information, please contact Odette Pearson at Odette.Pearson@sahmri.com
Applications close: Monday 21st April 2025
Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is identified prior to the close date.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply
Apply now
Equity & Diversity at SAHMRI
At SAHMRI, we live our commitment to equity and diversity every day: respecting people as individuals and valuing differences to create a working environment that is fair and flexible, promotes personal and professional growth and benefits from the capabilities of a diverse workforce.

• Identify and establish an agreed Aboriginal Data Governance structure/s for iCARE, developed using Data Sovereignty principles and with Aboriginal Data governance groups and mechanisms.
• Work within a team and independently to map data across projects, contribute to systems for harmonising data, support the management of data.
• Successfully complete a review of indicators, contribute information to ethics applications and reporting requirements.
• Provide input to and support project evaluation.
• Contribute to and participate in Wardliparingga Theme and ACRA initiatives, including special projects to continuously improve processes, tools, systems and organisation.
• Ensure research activities and other outputs are compliant and aligned with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and working to the principles of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord.
• Support the mentorship, training, professional development and/or supervision of trainees, undergraduate, post graduate research students, peers and senior program leads as applicable