"Research Officer"

•  493827
•  Cairns
•  Academic
•  Full time
•  Closing on: Nov 23 2025

Drive health innovation and equity across rural and remote North Queensland communities.

• Full time | Fixed term until 30 April 2027
• Based in Cairns
• Academic Level A | $78,220 - $104,521 + 17% super & great benefits

About the Role

Join James Cook University (JCU) and make a real impact on health outcomes in the Tropics. We’re looking for a Research Officer to support two NHMRC-funded Priority Health Projects under the TAAHC Accelerator Initiative (GNT2043931) — delivering innovative, community-led solutions to improve care and access in rural and remote communities.

Working alongside Professors Sarah Larkins and Edward Strivens, you’ll contribute to:

• Co-designing culturally safe dementia care pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Developing digital health solutions to strengthen secondary prevention for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).
• Collaborating with clinicians, community members, and health partners to ensure research is locally relevant and culturally respectful.
• Coordinating research activities, data collection, ethics submissions, and project reporting to support high-impact outcomes.

About You

You’ll bring:

• A degree in health, social sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience supporting health or community-based research projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to culturally safe and ethical research practices, especially in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Knowledge of dementia care, RHD, or digital health systems will be highly regarded.

Why Join JCU?

At JCU, you’ll help advance world-class tropical health research that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. We offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave + leave loading
• Flexible working arrangements
• Salary packaging options
• Paid study leave & staff development programs
• Fitness Passport & health insurance discounts
• Free Employee Assistance Program (coaching & counselling)

How to Apply

Apply now and help shape the future of health care in the Tropics.

Click the ‘Apply’ button or visit the JCU Careers Page and follow these steps:

1. Complete the online application form
2. Upload your current CV
3. Upload a cover letter outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role

Applications close: 23 November 2025

For more information, contact Helen Griffiths on (07) 4781 4727 or via email  helen.griffiths@jcu.edu.au