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Senior Researcher Officer - Aboriginal Parenting Program

The Kids Research Institute Australia
On-site
Australia

The Opportunity

The Senior Research Officer will join a research project focused on co-designing, and implementing a culturally safe and responsive, trauma-informed parenting program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The program aims to strengthen connectedness to family, kin, country and culture, and identity, promoting healing in a culturally safe and responsive way.

The role will coordinate the study, including obtaining ethics approvals and managing amendments, ensuring protocol compliance, supervising staff, and managing sensitive data. The project is already underway and is in the co-design phase with the Advisory group members. The Senior Research Officer will contribute to the final advisory group meeting in Phase 1, where the program will be presented for feedback. In Phase 2, the role will support piloting and evaluating the program in Metropolitan WA communities and supporting the development of the ‘train-the-trainer’ modules, to ensure program sustainability.

Based at Perth Children’s Hospital, this if a full-time role for 18 months, until June 2027.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will possess the following:

  • PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, public health, implementation science).
  • Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and applying culturally safe research practices.
  • Proven ability to provide leadership to a high performing team, facilitate effective teamwork and to liaise with a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Experience in line managing and leading/supporting junior staff/effective supervision or mentoring of junior staff (or equivalent).
  • Expertise in designing and conducting mixed-methods studies (quantitative and qualitative) and/or systematic reviews.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines.

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit, support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.  

If you meet many, but not all, of the role requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we:

  • Support staff-led inclusion and allyship groups.
  • Offer flexible work practices that recognise different needs and life stages.
  • Provide training, development and mentoring opportunities to increase inclusive leadership and create an environment where all staff can thrive.
  • Partner with communities to strength cultural awareness and belonging.
  • Ensure adjustments and accessible practices are available for diverse community groups. 
  • We continually strive to measure our progress and improve where we can.

Alongside our inclusive culture, you’ll enjoy:  

  • Extra annual leave at Christmas and Easter.
  • Salary packaging and entertainment benefits.
  • Health and wellbeing programs with weekly events.
  • Flexible and hybrid working options.
  • Recognition and professional development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning.
  • Modern offices with sit-to-stand desks and end-of-trip facilities.
  • Staff discounts on travel, IT, stationery, and access to corporate health insurance.

How to Apply

If this role feels like the right fit and an exciting new opportunity for you, please click on 'Apply Now' to visit our Career Site, view the Job Description, and submit your application.

Please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that specifically addresses the skills and experience outlined in the “About You” section.

Applications will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties or require reasonable accommodations in completing your application, please contact recruitment@thekids.org.au.

Click here for the Job Description

Contact Name: Nicole Hanna

Contact Email: nicole.hanna@thekids.org.au

Closing Date: 11/02/2026 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.

The Kids Research Institute Australia is committed to being champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot program.

We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.