Research Assistant Murdoch Childrens Research Institute location Melbourne. Salary $75,700pa super + salary packaging.

Who Are we at MCRI we share a powerful vision; to re-imagine the future of child health. We are the home to many life-changing scientific discoveries. We believe that no question is too impossible to try and answer. We are renowned for our cutting edge focus on early interventions, improved diagnosis, prevention and development of potential cures. Our success is founded on a philosophy of collaboration through a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the toughest questions in child health.

MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. We are committed to creating a positive working environment which values all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity. Don’t take our word for it, check what our employees are saying.

The opportunity we are looking for a Research Assistant to join the Heart team based at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The key part of your role will see working with the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry. The Fontan registry is the world’s largest registry of health information on people born with a single ventricle. The registry aims to produce high-quality research to improve clinical care, long term outcomes and treatment options.

As our new research assistant the primary trial you will be working on will be largest exercise training trial in children and adults with congenital heart disease. This world-first trial will provide conclusive evidence on the safety and efficacy of exercise training in people living with congenital heart disease. Your role will vary and see you coordinating assessment days, follow-up visits, and participant recruitment and perform data collection and analysis.

To be successful in this role: you have previously worked as a research assistant and are familiar with research in the not-for -profit space or are newly graduated looking to expand your skills in the research space. You are naturally organised with high attention to detail as part of this role will involve maintaining and updating data used in the trial while supporting your team. You are passionate about your role and the effect it has on community health and are ready to make a positive impact in your team as well as children’s lives.

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to developing and maintaining research databases using REDCap, excel or other relevant software. Coordinating participant recruitment, research assessments and follow up visits.

Performing or setting up clinical or research assessments including questionnaires, anthropometry, physical activity monitors, cognitive function tests, body composition assessments and physical fitness tests. Preparing and submitting ethics, clinical trial notification and grant applications. Performing literature reviews and preparing scholarly manuscripts for publication. Assist with the development of research protocols, data collection forms and other relevant documents.

Conducts ethical research at the highest level of integrity and in line with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research and MCRI policies. Assists and contributes to data generation for research and publications. Works to improve skill base in research productivity and methodology. Assists in high calibre, competitive research. Follows standard operating procedures, study protocols and study guidelines. Continuous maintenance of neat and orderly records, lab books and data storage.

Understands and follows fieldwork guidelines GCP / ICH. Fosters relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Is engaged in the campus culture including professional development activities and attending internal/external campus conferences and seminars. Is aware of, and adheres to MCRI policy on Intellectual Property/Material Transfer Agreements/Contracts/Clinical and Public Health Outcomes. Undertake ad-hoc activities associated with the Fontan registry and various clinical trials.

You demonstrate bachelor degree or Masters qualification in science, allied health or other related disciplines (e.g. psychology, nursing, midwifery, exercise science, speech pathology, occupational therapy, dietetics, sonography, biomedical science or statistics).

Appropriate level of expertise gained from a combination of experience, training or professional accreditation (Step 2 to 5). Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Excellent time management, organisational and analytical problem-solving skills. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Relevant computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Powerpoint).

Demonstrated understanding of a range of research methodologies and their application in empirical research. Ability to work with a culturally and socially diverse cohort of people. Experience with research, clinical and commercial software (e.g., REDCap, python, R studio, SPSS, SAS or endnote) is highly desirable. Previous research and multi-centre clinical trials experience is highly desirable.