"Research Associate (Level A) in Westmead at the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute"

About the opportunity

As a Research Associate you will support a team of investigators - infectious diseases, sexual health and reproductive health clinicians and academics together with the NSW Ministry of Health - to undertake a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs assessment of temporary migrants to Australia, under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme in rural and regional NSW.

You will become familiar with the literature, work with researchers and stakeholders to conduct and analyse health service process maps, semi-structured interviews and/or focus group discussions among PALM workers, PALM employers, and health workers. You will also support reporting including presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance in recruiting talent aligned to these values in the pursuit of research excellence.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• work with researchers and stakeholders to identify and recruit study participants
• travel to study sites across NSW to conduct participant interviews
• independently conduct qualitative interviews and assist with promoting quantitative surveys with PALM workers and other stakeholders, ensure that data collection is conducted in a culturally safe and sensitive manner
• identify any acute health concerns or distress among PALM workers or other participants and arrange timely referral and clinical assessment via designated pathways, in liaison with the study investigators and local clinicians
• analyse the data using suitable qualitative software in liaison with the investigator team
• contribute to drafting of project reports and manuscripts for publication
• help project investigators to prepare presentation of findings to the NSW Ministry of Health and other stakeholders where applicable
• work within a team and support other team members
• undertake ad-hoc projects and other activities as required.

You will have

• a PhD in an infectious diseases/sexual and reproductive health/public health/ related field would be desirable
• sound experience in qualitative research methods including but not limited to framework analysis
• having Pasifika background and/or experience conducting qualitative research with Pacific Island communities is highly desirable
• a sound knowledge of academic research integrity and ethics; current Good Clinical Practice certification would be desirable
• experience conducting semi-structured and/or in-depth interviews (essential) and focus group discussions
• experience analysing qualitative data (essential)
• excellent written and oral communication skills
• peer-reviewed scientific publications including qualitative research
• excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• ability to work both independently and collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team
• interest in infectious diseases, particularly in sexual and reproductive health among vulnerable populations, and health service improvement. Previous work in and/or demonstrated understanding of health services and issues in the field of sexual and reproductive health will be beneficial.