Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow in Rural Health

Location: Shepparton, Wangaratta or Ballarat
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term until December 31, 2024
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Department of Rural Health
Salary: Level B - $110,236 - $130,900 p.a. plus 17% super or Level C - $135,032 - $155,698 p.a. plus 17% super
The level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About - Department of Rural Health

https://medicine.unimelb.edu.au/school-structure/rural-health

Our Department provides professional health education and research training in a rural context. Based at Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley, we have major nodes at Ballarat and Wangaratta and associations with nearly 40 smaller towns in rural Victoria.  We offer an exciting range of multidisciplinary opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate students and practicing health professionals.  We also have a research program invesitigating rural health workforce, chronic illness and cultural inclusion in our regions.

About the Role

This position offers the opportunity for a rural health researcher to join our team to conduct evaluations of our programs and undertake research projects that will improve understanding of the health workforce in our regions.  These projects include evaluating our training, student placement and other programs as well as workforce mapping, workforce projects and working with health services.  Knowledge of research design, data collection and analysis as well as rural health issues is required along with a track record of grants and publications.  The position provides the researcher with an opportunity to lead new projects, evaluate existing programs and collaborate with colleagues to support existing research projects. 

The position reports to Professor Lisa Bourke (UDRH Director).  This role is available in either Wangaratta, Shepparton or Ballarat, as selected by the preferred applicant, however the incumbent must live and work in one of these rural regions.  Researchers in the UDRH receive a small annual allowance for conference travel or professional development. 

Responsibilities include:

• Undertaking evaluations of the UDRH training, student placement and other programs as directed
• Mapping the rural health workforce in our regions to identify workforce shortages, needs and alternative approaches
• Actively contributing to the UDRH Research Team by being a supportive colleague, a mentor to junior researchers, and a partner with other researchers on rural health research projects
• Actively participating in the UDRH, including participation in the UDRH meetings, research team meetings and other relevant meetings and also provide the required reporting twice per year

About You

You will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective research collaboration and engagement and experience of working in interprofessional research teams that have achieved research outcomes. You will have demonstrated ability to articulate scholarly research through conference presentations, public (community) presentations, non-peer reviewed mediums and University level forums. 

You will also have:

• PhD in an area related to rural health
• A strong publication record of original research related to rural health
• Evidence of research funding related to rural health research
• Ability to articulate the impact of research activity and to work to achieve impact from research findings

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University

The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits.

Be Yourself

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter and your resume for the role.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au.

Position Description: 0057107_Senior Research Fellow in Rural Health_PD.pdf

Applications close: 20 Feb 2023 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time