Research Fellow (Maternity Systems Pathway Partnership Project)

About The Team

The Ngangk Yira Institute for Change (Ngangk Yira) is one of four Murdoch University institutes and brings together leading researchers working in two Research Centres with colleagues from across the University and broader academic and other sectors to deliver world class multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary translational research benefitting the Aboriginal community, government, and health and service sectors. 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 and transformative research that translates to meet community needs.

Ngangk Yira is founded on principles of Aboriginal-led research, community engagement, and professional collaborations. Through meaningful and structured engagement with Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities, Ngangk Yira is committed to the preservation and promotion of cultural wisdom and data sovereignty and ensuring meaningful, co-designed research which supports change in health, wellbeing and social equity for Aboriginal people, families, and communities.

Ngangk Yira’s reputation in diverse Aboriginal-led translational research is organised across two Research and Advocacy Centres and a Systems and Policy Unit. These are:

1)The health of Aboriginal women, men, children and families - Yorga, Maaman and Koolanga Research and Advocacy Centre; and

2)Healthy Aboriginal families and communities - Coolamon Research and Advocacy Centre.

3)Responsive and accountable health and social systems – the Systems and Policy Unit.

Your New Role!  

The Research Fellow (Maternity Systems Pathway Partnership Project) will contribute to a large-scale health systems change project involving four partner organisations and 31 Chief and Partner Investigators. Funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Project grant and is full-time, fixed term (4 years).

Working within a multidisciplinary research team under the guidance of the project CIA, epidemiologist and health economist, the role offers early-career research the opportunity to develop research, service and leadership capability while providing expert input to achieve the projects’ objectives.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated quantitative research expertise, particularly in biostatistics and health economics, and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal peoples and culturally diverse communities, alongside a commitment to ongoing cultural learning.

Your key responsibilities will include –

• Conduct high-quality quantitative research (biostatistics and health economics), contribute to data analysis, and prepare reports, publications, grants and presentations
• Support project operations including ethics and data applications, data planning, reporting, and active participation in project meetings, workshops and events
• Provide HDR supervision or mentoring as required, engage in professional development and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning, and contribute to collegial inclusive and professional working environment

Please refer to the Candidate Pack for further details.

What We Offer You!

This Fixed Term (4 Years) | Full Time (37.5 hours per week) attracts a remuneration of $113,247– $134,148 (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:

• Enjoy a 2% salary increase under the Enterprise Agreement, effective July 2026

• 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!

Please apply online via the Apply Now button, along with submitting the following documents to support your application -

• 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:

• A PhD in relevant discipline preferably in health economics or biostatistics) with an emerging or established record of high-quality, peer-reviewed research
• Demonstrated experience analysing complex quantitative datasets, including large-scale or linked health or administrative data, using statistical software such as R and/or STATA
• Knowledge of health, prenatal epidemiology and/or health economics
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and culturally diverse settings
• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal cultures and the ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities, with a commitment to policy and legislative compliance

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a criminal record check in accordance with the University's Criminal Record Screening Procedure and Employee Background Checks Procedure.

Applicants should refer to the Position Description for further details on the work requirements, duties, skills and experience required for this role. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted.

Please note visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants are expected to have current and valid work rights in Australia.

Please see the Applicant Guide for more information. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.

Contact Us

For enquiries about the opportunity on offer please reach out to Tracy Reibel, Systems and Policy Lead and Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Chair and quote JR105312 as the reference.

Applications Close on 2 June 2026 (11:59pm AWST)

The University reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement at any time.

Murdoch University acknowledges the different perspectives, skills and experience that people from different backgrounds bring to strengthen its workforce. Murdoch University is committed to enhancing diversity in all its forms and strongly encourages suitably qualified candidates from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people of CaLD background and people of diverse genders to apply for this important position.

Murdoch University values workplace diversity, promotes inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, and individuals with disability. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.