Jobs and Careers

Research Officer

• Contribute to Tasmania’s leading health and medical research institutes!
• Join a team dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes for all Tasmanians.
• Full time, Fixed-Term (2 years), Based in Hobart.

About the opportunity

Menzies is one of Australia’s leading health and medical research institutes and is recognised worldwide for its research excellence.  Menzies’ mission is to perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for all Tasmanians.  Research takes a bench-to-bedside and disease prevention approach that is aimed at improving patient care and clinical outcomes for the community by translating knowledge into clinical and policy actions and through the commercial application of discoveries. 

The Research Officer assist with research to establish the evidence base for genetic risk profiling in Glaucoma, specifically how a novel glaucoma polygenic risk score (PRS) can enable specialist care to be prioritised for those patients at highest risk of vision loss, reducing the health economic impact of blindness and increasing efficiency in our health system with a protocolised model of care. This research will provide a framework by which a NATA accredited PRS for glaucoma can be ordered by clinicians and the results seamlessly incorporated into a collaborative-care pathway, improving access to care for all patients enabling early treatment for high-risk patients. The incumbent will directly coordinate the recruitment and clinical profiling of people with or suspected of having glaucoma and will be integral for patient recruitment, enrolment, and monitoring of research participants.

What you’ll do:

• Identify and recruit eligible participants by collaborating with ophthalmology and local optometry clinics.
• Provide informed consent to potential participants to ensure understanding of the research aims, procedures, risks, and benefits.
• Coordinate ophthalmic clinical activities including appointment scheduling, follow-up visits, and communication with research patients.
• Collect and manage accurate clinical data from patient interactions, and follow-up assessments, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
• Perform basic ophthalmic screening, such as automated visual field testing, OCT imaging and retinal photography.
• Participate and support Institute Advancement activities, including community engagement and donor relations, as relevant.

What we’re looking for:

• A degree level qualification in a relevant area or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Experience in Ophthalmic Clinical assessment is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to be self-directed and use initiative and record-keeping skills appropriate to carrying out a scientific investigation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a range of people and organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to perform tasks with a high degree of attention to detail. 

What’s required:

• Current Working with Vulnerable People registration (or to be obtained)
• Current ‘C’ class driver’s licence
• Regular interstate travel may be required to deliver research outcomes

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at HEO 5 and will have a total remuneration package of up to $99,698 comprising base salary within the range of $76,302 to $85,212 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide your CV and 1-2-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role, skills, capabilities and experience.  You do not need to separately address the success criteria.
• For further information about this position, please contact Professor Alex Hewitt, Professor, Alex.Hewitt@utas.edu.au or (03) 6226 4234
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description - 499997 -Research Officer.pdf

Applications close Monday, 13 May 2024, 11.55pm

To be eligible for this position, you are required to have Australian citizenship, permanent residence or a current valid visa that allows you to fulfil the requirements of this role.