Aboriginal Health Research Lead

Palliative Care SA; Murray Bridge; On-site; AUD 123,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation support

Salary sacrifice benefits

Inclusive workplace culture

Job summary

The Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network seeks an Aboriginal Health Research Lead to provide advanced scientific leadership in developing, delivering and translating Aboriginal health research to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The role leads culturally safe, community-informed research, builds partnerships, secures funding and applies innovative methodologies to inform clinical practice, health service planning and policy.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading and conducting research within Aboriginal communities and health services.
• Proven expertise in funding applications, project management, evaluation and publication.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Aboriginal health priorities.
• Ability to provide research leadership, develop partnerships and translate findings into improved health outcomes.
• Strong communication, education and presentation skills to support staff development.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aboriginal health research and translate findings into clinical practice and policy.
• Build partnerships with Aboriginal communities and research organisations.
• Secure funding and manage research projects, evaluations and dissemination.
• Strengthen research capability and promote Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
• Advance health equity through high-quality research and collaboration.

Skills

Research leadership

Funding applications

Project management

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Aboriginal Health

NMBA registration eligibility (RN/Midwife)

Job description

Job no: 943302

Work type: Full time

Location: Murray and Mallee, To be negotiated

Categories: Allied and Scientific Health, Nursing/Midwifery, Research, Aboriginal Health

• Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, Location Negotiable
• Multiclass | MeS4 | RN/M4 | AHP4 | $122,752.00 - $143,282.00 p.a.
• Employment: Full-time, Ongoing Permanent
• Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Regional Incentives may apply, subject to the terms in the Enterprise Agreement. (Allied Health positions only) + Superannuation + Leave Loading + Salary Sacrifice Benefits + Regional Incentives may apply

This position is Aboriginal identified. In accordance with an exemption granted by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) under sections 30, 52 and 103 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), only applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are eligible to apply.

About the Role

The Aboriginal Health Research Lead provides advanced scientific leadership in developing, delivering and translating Aboriginal health research to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The role leads culturally safe, community-informed research, builds partnerships with Aboriginal communities and research organisations, secures funding and applies innovative methodologies to inform clinical practice, health service planning, policy and decision-making. The position also strengthens research capability, promotes Indigenous Data Sovereignty and advances health equity through high-quality research and collaboration.

What We're Looking For

Essential Criteria

• Extensive experience leading and conducting research, particularly within Aboriginal communities and health services.
• Proven expertise in research funding applications, project management, evaluation and publication.
• Strong understanding of culturally safe research, Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Aboriginal health priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide research leadership, develop partnerships and translate findings into improved health outcomes.
• Strong communication, education and presentation skills, with the ability to support research capability and staff development.

MeS4 | Medical Scientist

• PhD in Aboriginal Health, Health Sciences, Applied Sciences, Allied Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, or related discipline

RN/M4 | Registered Nurse/Midwife

• Registered or eligible for registration as a Nurse/Midwife with the NMBA and holds, or is eligible to hold, a current AHPRA practising certificate.

AHP4 | Allied Health Professional

• Relevant Allied Health qualification with eligibility for professional membership and current AHPRA registration where required; higher qualifications in health service management, clinical education or a relevant specialty highly regarded.

Desired Criteria

• Knowledge of rural healthcare and clinical research
• Successful supervision of research higher degree students
• Experience in analysing datasets of complex multimorbid patients
• Awareness of the Charter of Health and Community Services rights.
• Knowledge of principles of epidemiology specific to rural and/or Aboriginal patients.
• Advanced and specialist knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, population health analytics and data linkage methodologies.
• Master and PhD in clinical research, or related clinical field.

About Us

The Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, called RMCLHN for short, supports more than 70,000 people living in country South Australia in the towns and surrounds of Renmark, Paringa, Berri, Barmera, Waikerie, Loxton, Pinnaroo, Lameroo, Karoonda, Mannum, Murray Bridge, Tailem Bend, Meningie, Tintinara and Coonalpyn. Click here for more information about working for RMCLHN.

• We will provide support, both personally and professionally giving you access to a range of education and training opportunities designed to enhance your role.
• Offer flexible work arrangements to better balance work, personal life, and family commitments.
• Provide an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, ensuring every employee feels a sense of belonging and safety.
• Offer salary sacrifice benefits,watch a short video about what salary packaging is.
• Provide Relocation Support, where applicable.More information available from SA Health Careers - Relocation support

Applicant Information

SA Health is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, culturally diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTIQA+SB community and people who live with disability and/or neurodivergence.

We are committed to making workplace adjustments to provide a positive and supportive work environment. You are encouraged to let us know if have any support or access requirements during the recruitment process and beyond to ensure you can perform at your best.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and appropriate immunisation requirements.

Check(s)

• DHS Working With Children Check (WWCC)
• DHS National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Check
• National Police Certificate (NPC) for employment involving unsupervised contact with vulnerable groups required for this position (E.g. aged care employment or work involving vulnerable clients)
• Immunisation Risk for this position is - Category A

SA Health Services are required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy in the workplace.

Job ref

943302

Enquiries

Amy Mendham
Position: Senior Scientist in Research
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Application Closing Date

25 October 2026 - 11.55PM

Attachments

MeS4 - Aboriginal Health Research Lead - Role Description.pdf

RN4A - Advanced Nurse Education and Research Lead RACE - Role Description.pdf

AHP4 - Advanced Education - Research Lead - Role description.pdf

About Murray Bridge Factsheet (Digital Version).pdf

Australian applicant guidelines

International applicant guidelines

Advertised: 05 Oct 2026 Cen. Australia Daylight Time
Applications close: 25 Oct 2026 Cen. Australia Daylight Time