Research Officer

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Research Officer. Terms and conditions vacancy

• Exciting opportunity to provide high level research support
• Fixed term, full time up to a 3 year appointment
• Based at Wallsend Campus with travel to PNG for up to 6 weeks per year

About UON

We are developing the 'next generation' of higher education professionals that contribute services that go beyond support and enablement for academics; they challenge and inspire all of us. Our professional staff play an integral part in developing and delivering expertise, management, leadership and strategic services that are complex, rewarding and truly cutting edge. Your contribution to making us a world-class institution is recognised and rewarded in many different ways. Competitive salaries, formal awards programs, development opportunities and promotions are just the start.

This position will be based with Hunter New England’s Health Protection Team at the Wallsend Campus. The Health Protection Team is an innovative and dynamic unit focused on evidence-based applied public health in the Hunter New England District and across the Pacific. In collaboration with partners, the Health Protection Team strives to make a public health difference by creating new knowledge, exploring innovative solutions to common challenges and producing world–leading research to enhance health security in our region.

About the opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists to support applied public health activities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).  Under the leadership of Professor David Durrheim, the Research Officer will work with a team of public health physicians and epidemiologists to implement a project entitled ‘Accelerating the Development of Policy and Practice in Papua New Guinea’ (ADEPPt). The Research Officer will be responsible for coordinating project committees and teams, managing budgets and preparing reports for DFAT, managing the ADEPPt website, preparing and delivering field epidemiology instruction in Papua New Guinea and mentoring ADEPPt students. The ADEPPt program is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, HNELHD, the PNG National Department of Health, the World Health Organization, the Centres of Disease Prevention and Control, The Australian National University and the University of New England. ADEPPt will re-engage alumni from PNG’s existing Field Epidemiology Training (FETP) to undertake embedded operational research to increase preparedness and reduce vulnerability to existing and emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases. By building on PNG’s intervention based FETP, ADEPPt aims to strengthen, scale and accelerate the development of evidence based policy and practice in PNG.

As part of the Health Protection Team based in Newcastle, the Research Officer will also be responsible for providing technical and operational input during outbreak response activities, surveillance and epidemiological research in HNELHD.  The Health Protection Team is situated within HNELHD and is responsible for communicable disease surveillance, research and response activities across the LHD.

This role is fixed term for up to 3 years, full time, based at Wallsend campus.

Skills and experience

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• A public health degree with subsequent relevant experience in infectious disease epidemiology
• Experience in developing and/or delivering health related training materials in low income settings
• Demonstrated high level program management skills with well-developed time management and work prioritization skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the capacity to build relationships and an inter-disciplinary way of working.
• Competency in statistical analysis, interpretation and evaluation of communicable diseases data
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to be adaptable to new situations
• Willing and able to travel to Papua New Guinea for up to 6 weeks per year
• Knowledge of, and experience in, adhering to workplace policies and procedures in the areas of work health safety, equity, diversity and promoting a respectful workplace culture

Please note: In accordance with the University's Staff Selection Guidelines, your application will be assessed on the selection criteria found at the link above. It is essential that you address each of the criteria to enable the selection committee to properly assess your application and suitability for interview.

Salary

HEW 6 from $76,400 to $84,302 per annum plus superannuation contributions with UniSuper.