"Research Assistant"

Job Description:

PRIMARY DETAIL

Play a key role in a clinical study by visiting participating general practices to recruit and screen patients for inclusion, while supporting broader research activities. This is a full time position, but willing to appoint part-time for the appropriate candidate.

• Salary Package: From $86,087 per annum (HEW 5) plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading.

• Appointment Type: Full-time, fixed-term position for 12 months (part-time may be considered for the right candidates, which includes a potential job-share arrangement).

• Location: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde)

The Role

The Research Assistant will play a key role in a clinical study, primarily visiting participating general practices to recruit and screen patients for inclusion. You’ll provide end-to-end research support, from participant recruitment and data management to assisting with ethics applications and preparing research outputs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recruit patient participants onsite and explain the details of the study,
• Contact and speak with patient participants in person or on the telephone to screen them for inclusion into the study,
• Using online platforms (especially REDCap) to assist in the recruitment process for recruiting patients into the study,
• Entering data into the trial spreadsheet using Excel,
• Undertake data cleaning,
• Provide research support, including: organise and maintain a literature database, assist with data management and analysis, contribute to ethics applications, assist with the production of research reports/presentations,
• Perform any other Research Assistant duties as required and appropriate for this classification, and
• Visiting participating general practices to develop strong relationships with GPs and practice staff

About You

You are organised, detail-oriented and proactive, and you communicate clearly and work well both independently and in a team, adapting to changing project needs.

Essential selection criteria

• Bachelor-level qualification
• Australian driver’s licence and access to a car
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, adapting workload as necessary

Desirable selection criteria

• Previous research assistant experience, including data entry, data cleaning and data analysis
• Master of Research or PhD

About Us

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of progressive thinking to solve some of the big issues of our time, on both a national and global scale. The Faculty forms part of MQ Health, an integrated academic health sciences enterprise which incorporates Macquarie University Hospital and primary and specialty clinics.

The Department of Chiropractic, located within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University, is internationally recognised for its rigorous, evidence-based chiropractic programs. It offers hands-on learning in purpose-built facilities—covering anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic techniques—that prepare both undergraduate and postgraduate students to become ethically minded, work-ready practitioners and researchers.

The department is committed to improving musculoskeletal health through high-quality, impactful research. Its research strengths include implementation science, intervention studies for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, lifespan musculoskeletal health, chiropractic safety, and education research focused on anatomy learning.

Macquarie University is engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Celebrating its 60th year in 2024, it was established as a bold experiment in higher education and designed to break from educational traditions to work in tandem with industry.

Why Work at Macquarie?

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five-star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability.

We are a walking distance from Macquarie University Metro Station and Macquarie Shopping Centre, which makes our campus a prime location.

Take a look at our benefits on offer:

• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Flexible working options
• Training and professional development
• Onsite childcare facilities
• Discounted health insurance (Medibank)
• Onsite vacation care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidised membership at the Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Onsite GP, imaging & physio clinics

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online by submitting your CV and a separate (2-page maximum) cover letter that demonstrates your suitability for the role and how you meet the following selection criteria above:

Note this position is only open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and those currently residing in Australia with full working rights.

Pre-employment checks: This position is subject to Macquarie University's pre-employment screening requirements, which include the successful completion of an academic qualification check as well as any other checks required to be able to commence in the role.

Role inquiries: Professor Simon French at simon.french@mq.edu.au.

Applications close: Friday, 29 August 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (AEST).