Job no: 0063426
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time or Part-time (0.8 FTE) available; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Salary: Academic A – $83,468 – $113,262 p.a. plus 17% super

• Join the Downie Laboratory: Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit
• Contribute as an optometrist and study coordinator to a variety of studies and contribute to the wider activity of the research Unit 
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role

This position is in the Downie Laboratory: Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit within the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne. The Principal Investigator of this research Unit is Prof Laura Downie.

The research undertaken in this Unit has a strong translational focus, combining discovery research, clinical studies, and evidence synthesis and implementation science, as the basis for improving patient outcomes. A major research focus is undertaking clinical trials of new ocular diagnostics and therapeutics, with a primary focus on conditions affecting the ocular surface. The Research Optometrist and Clinical Research Coordinator role will be involved in various studies, and also contribute to the wider activity of the research Unit. 

While the role is primarily based at the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus, some occasional off-site work within the Melbourne metropolitan area may be required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing clinical studies, including human participant recruitment and performing study assessments in accordance with study protocols
• Completing administrative tasks relating to clinical trials and other research studies
• Contributing to research project planning and management

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an individual with a proven ability to conduct high-quality eye examinations and a strong commitment to adhering to written guidelines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this role, as you will be required to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

You will also have:

• An optometry qualification with therapeutic endorsement and rights to practice in Australia as an optometrist
• Highly developed time management and organisational skills, including demonstrated experience in coordinating clinical workflows, prioritising tasks, meeting deadlines and effectively balancing competing demands
• Strong computer literacy, including competence with word processing, calendar and spreadsheet applications.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your New Team – Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences

http://www.optometry.unimelb.edu.au

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences currently comprises twenty-four academic staff (10 teaching and research, 5 teaching specialist and 9 research only). The Department is located at 200 Berkeley St Carlton, Parkville Campus, and has laboratory and office space for its Visual Neuroscience research groups in the Kenneth Myer Building. The Melbourne Eyecare Clinic is collocated in 200 Berkeley St, and provides clinical training for Optometry students, and clinical eyecare service to students and staff of the University, as well as to the general public. The department provides a 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) entry-to-practice postgraduate degree. Approximately 280 students are enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry (70 per year level, on average). The department teaches vision science subjects in the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine degrees. The Department offers further professional training through its Specialist Certificates and Masters in Clinical Optometry, specifically aimed at advancing clinical knowledge and scope of practice for qualified optometrists.

The Department has a vigorous and expanding research program in optometry and vision sciences. It offers courses of training by research leading to the degrees of PhD and Master of Philosophy, and currently has around 20 students pursuing research higher degrees.

What We Offer You!

In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!

About the University of Melbourne

We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Nick Petersen via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

Position Description

Applications close: 28 Aug 2024 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time