Neurospine Foundation Research Assistant

Summary of Position:

Neurospine Institute is a multi-disciplinary specialist practice that provides neuro-spinal surgery services in Western Australia. Neurospine Institute was formed with the desire to offer comprehensive and cohesive treatment of brain and spine injuries, trauma and disease.  Our specialist surgeons are supported by a dedicated team of specialist medical and perioperative physicians, physiotherapists, nurse practitioner, pain medicine specialists, psychologists and administration staff, allowing the delivery of high-quality clinical outcomes and service to patients in need of neuro-spinal care.

In 2019, Neurospine Institute established a registered charity whose principal purposes and objectives are to promote improvement in the neurosurgical and orthopaedic spine care in Australia and internationally, by establishing and developing a centre of excellence in neurosurgical and orthopaedic spine care research.

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to join us as a Research Assistant for 3-days per week with the potential to expand the role to a full-time position for the right candidate. This position will manage and maintain key research assets and datasets and undertake high-quality research projects. The appointee will be highly motivated and enthusiastic about medical research and will be involved with project design, consulting with collaborators, ethics and governance applications, undertaking research experiments including lab-based studies, data collection and statistical analyses, and dissemination of research through conferences and publications. 

The position will report directly to the Research Lead. The appointee requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with research collaborators, medical personnel and patients. The position will be based at Neurospine Institute in Wembley but will involve attending all Neurospine Institute sites including the research lab at Curtin University as required. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with human research ethics and governance applications and compliance 
• Conduct literature reviews and stay current with developments in spine research
• Design and execute experiments, employing a variety of techniques and methodologies
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, results, and protocols
• Collect, analyse, and interpret data using a suite of statistical analyses programs to derive meaningful insights
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including clinicians, engineers, and molecular scientists
• Author and co-author scientific publications for peer-reviewed journals, as well as present findings at national and international conferences
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure funding for research initiatives
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers, providing guidance and support in their professional development

Essential Selection Criteria:

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree preferably with Honours or Post-graduate degree by research, in health sciences; physiotherapy, biomedicine or related fields; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training (a clinical background is not essential). 
2. Experience and/or qualifications in epidemiology or statistics would be advantageous.
3. Knowledge or previous experience in data handling and maintaining systems for compilation and storage of data, including knowledge of privacy and confidentiality requirements. 
   Experience using REDCap would be advantageous.
4. Demonstrated understanding of the principles and methods of research, adhering to study protocols, and skills in sensitivity, discretion and confidentiality. 
5. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, along with a proven ability to autonomously organise and prioritise tasks and workflows to meet project deadlines
6. Highly developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to interact professionally with a wide range of healthcare personnel and patients. 
7. Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and data management skills that ensure the smooth delivery of study outcomes while managing competing demands and conflicting deadlines.
8. Demonstrated track record of research dissemination – publications and conference presentations
9. High level of professionalism; perform all duties with integrity, honesty and respect and behave in a professional manner appropriate to a corporate, medical and research environment at all times. 

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Flexible work arrangements available for the right candidate
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment with opportunities to interact with experts in the field

Performance Expectations:

Key performance indicators will be determined upon commencement of the appointee and an annual appraisal will be performed. The appointee’s performance will be reviewed against this position description and the established key performance indicators. The position duties and resources required will be reviewed within the annual appraisal.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume/CV, cover letter outlining relevant experience and career goals, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. For any further questions or inquiries, please contact Research Lead, Dr Jessica Gaff at- ************@neurospineinstitute.com.au.

Join us in our mission to make a meaningful impact on spinal healthcare through research and innovation. Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of neurospinal conditions. Apply now and take the next step in your research career with Neurospine Foundation.