Research Assistant

Position Details

• Fixed-Term (12 months) | Part Time (0.5FTE)
• Higher Education Officer Level 5 | $84,599 - $93,366 (pro rata)
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country
• View Position Description

 

About the Role

Join the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and contribute to the CRESCENT Study, an exciting research project investigating how light sensitivity and light exposure patterns may influence the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following traumatic injury. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with the Trauma Service Team at Flinders Medical Centre and provide hands-on support to the Postdoctoral Research Associate and Chief Investigator in the delivery of this important research. Working directly with participants throughout their research journey, you will play a key role in recruitment, assessments and follow-up activities that contribute to a better understanding of trauma, PTSD and recovery.

 

This position is offered at 0.5 FTE, with flexibility required across multiple weekdays to support participant scheduling and the operational needs of the study.

 

As a Research Assistant, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting participant identification, recruitment and enrolment for the CRESCENT Study.
• Conducting research interviews, assessments and participant follow-up activities.
• Coordinating research activities between participants, hospital staff and the research team.
• Maintaining accurate study records, research data and documentation in line with approved protocols.

 

This position makes a significant contribution to the University's strategic plan to change 10 million lives, Every One Matters, by 2035 through advancing Research that Matters. The role supports research that aims to improve our understanding of trauma, PTSD and recovery, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for individuals and communities.

 

About You

 

You are a compassionate and organised research professional who enjoys working directly with people and making a meaningful contribution to health research. Comfortable building rapport in sensitive situations, you bring empathy, professionalism and a trauma-informed approach to participant interactions. You are confident working both independently and collaboratively and are motivated by the opportunity to support research that has a genuine impact on people's lives and wellbeing.

 

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• A degree in psychology, health sciences, medicine, social sciences, public health or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Demonstrated experience working with people in professional settings, particularly where conversations may involve sensitive or potentially distressing experiences.
• The ability to build strong relationships through effective communication, interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities while working independently.
• Experience within hospital, trauma, mental health or related clinical settings, and/or a demonstrated interest in trauma-informed research and practice will be highly regarded.

 

College of Medicine and Public Health  

 

At the College of Medicine and Public Health, we deliver clinical, population and lab-based research, integrated teaching programs and high-quality clinical services. Our footprint reaches out from our world class teaching hospital at the Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia to multiple rural clinical locations all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Our research and teaching equip the next generation of leaders and innovators with the skill, commitment, and vision to protect vulnerable communities and truly advance health outcomes. It is at the heart of everything we do.

 

Life at Flinders

 

They say know your place. We say you've found it right here.

 

Flinders University was founded on the belief that learning should open minds, celebrate individuality and give people the freedom to pursue their own point of view. That spirit lives on in our community of thinkers, doers and changemakers who challenge convention, and each other, to shape what comes next.

 

Rising to a challenge is nothing new for Flinders. During our first 60 years, we’ve navigated revolutionary changes in social and cultural norms, and have responded to transformative economic, environmental and technological developments. Through it all, we’ve continued to deliver for our students and community, innovating in learning and research to prepare graduates for the changing world they help create.

 

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them.

 

So, why work at Flinders?

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options
• Flexible working arrangements
• Awarded the AHEIA Higher Education Award for Workplace Culture Excellence due to our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders staff wellbeing program
• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers 
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).
• Recognised as a Veteran Employer of Choice 
• Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

 

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment

 

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan 
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy 

 

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

 

Appointment to this role is conditional on the completion of required pre-employment checks and declarations, each of which must be satisfactory to the University.

 

These include:

• Flinders University will require a current completed Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Gender Based Violence Declaration which is satisfactory to the University. The contract of Employment is conditional upon the receipt of these completed compliance checks. A disclosable outcome will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.

• Staff working in a health care setting are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with the SA Health policy.

 

How to Apply and Information

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement as a separate document.  This should be no more than 3 pages and address the Key Position Capabilities of the position description.

• Flinders University is committed to providing an environment where staff with disability are valued, supported and encouraged to participate fully and independently in the life of the University. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please contact the Recruitment Team so that we can make appropriate arrangements through [email protected] or call 08 8201 2383.

• For more information regarding this position, please contact Dayna Easton

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

05 Nov 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.