• Requisition ID: 33037

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.

This position is within the Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (CEBU), which is jointly by the MCRI and the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics to provide a core level of support and training in epidemiological and clinical research methods, with a particular focus on biostatistics, to researchers on the Melbourne Children’s campus. CEBU is a well-established unit with a national and international reputation for its high level of biostatistical expertise and engagement in a wide range of research studies, including a substantial research profile, by way of collaboration as co-investigators in clinical and epidemiological research projects and also for independent methodological research work in biostatistics. CEBU is a lead partner with similar groups at Monash University and The University of Melbourne in the Victorian Centre for Biostatistics (ViCBiostat), a collaborative cross-institutional Centre of Research Excellence in biostatistics.

Your Opportunity:

This new role provides an exciting opportunity for an early-career statistician to obtain advanced training and build a career in data science embedded in health and medical research. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to engage collaboratively with epidemiological studies that are addressing 21st century challenges in health, while also developing expertise and a methodological research portfolio in cutting-edge areas of biostatistics, in particular causal inference methods. The appointee will not only work closely with researchers at the MCRI, but also with colleagues in ViCBiostat. The appointee will contribute to both methodological and collaborative research in the areas described in the position description, and also to teaching and training activities, in particular to the coordination and delivery of our short course training program.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to collaborative applied research output, including providing guidance on, modifying and implementing existing statistical methods for application to epidemiological data.
• Conducting methodological research, including the development and evaluation of statistical methods through a combination of theoretical work, computer simulation studies and critically evaluated case studies.
• Reading, interpreting and synthesising recent statistical/methodological literature in specific areas.
• Leading (a small number of) and contribute to (a much larger number of) scientific manuscripts based on the methodological and substantive research work respectively.
• Contributing to the development of grant applications in both methodological and substantive epidemiological and clinical research.
• Contributing to coordinating and delivering our short course training program, which may include preparing and delivering occasional lectures and tutorials and computer-based training.
• Co-supervising, or where appropriate supervising, honours or postgraduate research projects and students in both biostatistics and applied research.

Selection Criteria

• A PhD in biostatistics, statistics or closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of and technical competence with complex statistical models and methods.
• Experience in programming for data manipulation and analysis in a statistical package with a flexible language such as Stata or R.
• Record of publication of (or demonstrated capacity to contribute to) peer-reviewed scientific articles in both methodological and substantive research.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Aptitude and enthusiasm for supervision of research students.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively to achieve project goals and meet agreed deadlines.

For appointment at Level B:

• At least 3 years postdoctoral or equivalent research experience (relative to opportunity) and appropriate level of expertise gained from a combination of experience, training or professional accreditation.
• Building a reputation as a successful researcher with the potential to be competitive for grant funding.

Desirable

• Experience in collaborative research involving the application of statistics in health research, preferably with experience in epidemiological concepts and methods.
• Experience in modern methods for longitudinal studies (causal inference, methods for handling missing data etc.).

What’s in it for you:

• 2 Year Contract (Possible Extension).
• Attractive Salary $98,092-$114,992 + Super (with Salary Packaging).
• Full Time.
• Flexible Working Options.
• Ongoing Career Development and Training.
• Paid Parental Leave Scheme.
• Health and Wellbeing Program and an Employee Assistance Program.

Apply Now!

Download the position description.

Any specific questions not answered in the position description should be directed to A/Prof Margarita Moreno Betancur margarita.moreno@mcri.edu.au using the subject line: Biostatistician - Postdoctoral Research Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you believe you have what we're after please click 'Apply Now' to proceed with your application.

In one document only please place your:

• Cover Letter
• Response to Key Selection Criteria
• Resume

If you experience technical difficulties when submitting your application, please contact recruitment@mcri.edu.au using the subject line: Biostatistician - Postdoctoral Research Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs and quoting Position Reference.

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

All applicants please be aware that in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s Directions, all MCRI and VCGS workers must be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exception applies. Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government COVID-19 Digital Immunisation Certificate/s or evidence of medical exception or evidence of vaccination booking as part of our pre-employment requirements.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Check and a Working with Children check is compulsory.

Please note, applications will only be considered when submitted through the application page on our website, which can accessed by clicking Apply Now.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.