Senior Research Fellow

This is a Section 51 position and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be prioritised

About The Team

The Ngangk Yira Institute for Change is one of Murdoch University’s four institutes, bringing together leading researchers from two Research centres, and external partners to deliver world-class, multidisciplinary research that benefits Aboriginal communities, government, and the health and service sectors. The institute drives high-quality, Aboriginal-led research that strengthens Murdoch University’s commitment to Aboriginal health, social equity, and transformative research that translates to meet community needs

Grounded in Aboriginal leadership, community engagement, and strong collaboration, Ngangk Yira works closely with Elders and communities to uphold cultural knowledge, promote data sovereignty, and ensure co-designed research delivers meaningful improvements in health, wellbeing, and social equity for Aboriginal people, families and communities.

Ngangk Yira’s research spans two Research and Advocacy Centres and a Systems and Policy Unit:

• Yorga, Maaman and Koolanga Research and Advocacy Centre – Focusing on health of Aboriginal women, men, children, and families
• Coolamon Research and Advocacy Centre – Supporting healthy Aboriginal families and communities
• Systems and Policy Unit – Strengthening responsive and accountable health and social systems

Your New Role!  

The position requires a dynamic, visionary, organised researcher with leadership skills and extensive experience in qualitative, mixed-methods, and/or quantitative research. You will support a large team of chief and partner investigators in co-designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies that embed culturally safe care across an entire Health Service Provider (HSP) maternity service.

Key focuses to this position:

• Maintaining transparent and effective communication with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure strategies are delivered and lead to improve maternal and child health outcomes and patient care experiences in an HSP region, demonstrated by robust data collection and analysis.
• Advocate for the translation of project outcomes into policy and practice that improve maternity and child healthcare for Aboriginal women.
• Uphold Aboriginal research governance and data sovereignty to ensure the project delivers meaningful benefits the Aboriginal community.
   

Your key responsibilities will include –

• Manage all day-to-day functions of the NHMRC Partnership Project, a systems pathway to culturally safe maternity and child health care (Maternity Systems Pathway), including ethics, reporting, data, fieldwork, stakeholder coordination and team guidance
• Organise co-design, implementation and evaluation activities; provide expert analysis; maintain strong communication across investigators, partners, governance groups and community; and deliver required reports
• Produce publications and presentations, support broader Ngangk Yira research priorities, supervise students, contribute to funding proposals and undertake additional tasks as needed
   

Please refer to the Position Description for further details.

What We Offer You!

This Fixed Term (3 Years) | Full Time (37.5 hours per week) attracts a remuneration of $138,321.00– $159,219.00 (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:

• PhD or Masters with senior clinical/health experience, and sound knowledge of Aboriginal women’s prenatal health needs, and recent experience in maternal, infant or child health research and/or implementing new models of care
• Deep understanding of Aboriginal history, culture and colonisation impacts, with a demonstrated commitment to culturally safe, trauma-aware practice and strong relationship-building with Aboriginal stakeholders
• Proven research project management, implementation of health service innovations, strong analytical skills, and solid knowledge of WA health systems, Aboriginal community-controlled health-sector, Close the Gap priorities, ethics and RGS processes
• Demonstrated leadership, ability to work independently and guide teams, and strong communication skills engaging executive, clinical, community and government stakeholders
• Ability to draft publications towards finalisation and submission of manuscripts, and preparation of progress and other project reports

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a criminal record check and have a valid working with children check or the ability to register for one 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, tracy.reibel@murdoch and quote JR105086 as the reference.

Applications Close on 31 March 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.