The Social Research Centre is dedicated to conducting world-class research to inform decision-making and advance our understanding of Australian Society and our place in the world. We are Australia’s leading provider of social and government research services and an acknowledged leader in high quality project execution, innovative and cutting-edge research methodology, and analysis and strategic thinking.

We are looking to appoint either Research Assistant or Research Associate, to the Evaluation and Qualitative Research team. The successful candidate will be responsible for contributing to client management, evaluation and research design and proposal writing, desktop research, data collection (predominantly qualitative), data management, and analysis and reporting for evaluation and research projects. The incumbent will understand what contributes to high quality evaluations and research and be able to implement rigorous standards within projects, including knowledge of ethical issues and their applications. They will be able to translate research into policy and practice so that project findings have a high degree of contextual utility and recommendations are pragmatic in their approach.

The Research Assistant/Associate will work with teams across the SRC to assure that the level of enquiry needed to address the client’s requirements is met and designs are both methodologically sound and fit for purpose.

We offer a flexible, inclusive and collaborative team culture, as well as ongoing career and professional development. This position is offered on a permanent, full-time basis with hybrid work arrangements available (working from home some days with remaining days in the office).

Key Selection Criteria:

• Undergraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g. social sciences, psychology, sociology, public health and the like). Graduate qualifications are desirable.
• 1-3 years in a research, or policy environment
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight timelines
• Good communication skills and experience in a client facing environment
• Skilled written communication (letters, reports, documents)
• Demonstrable enthusiasm and/or experience for social/public policy evaluation and research
• Commercial consulting experience in social policy is an advantage
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other packages relevant to projects (NVivo for example), as necessary
• Good team player
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative where necessary

To apply for this position:

Please click apply and upload your resume and one page expression of interest covering the key selection criteria (listed above).

Applicants who do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, and interviews may commence before the job advertisement closes. As such, please beware the job advertisement may close earlier if role is filled.

Applications from people based beyond Melbourne are welcome as, for the right candidate, a remote-based work arrangement with occasional travel to our Melbourne office will also be considered. A suitable home workspace and reliable internet connection are required to work from home.

You must have full working rights in Australia to be eligible to apply. Please refer to the attachments for the position descriptions. For more information, please contact our People & Culture team at [email protected] using the subject line: Research Assistant / Research Associate - Evaluation and Qualitative Research enquiry via EthicalJobs.

The Social Research Centre values diversity and believes that an inclusive and fair work environment has a positive impact on the wellbeing of employees, job satisfaction and productivity. We encourage people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability to apply.

A position description is attached.