Research and Community Engagement Officer Full Time NEW

Full-Time or Part-Time | 12-Month Contract | Identified Position

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity is committed to research that is led by Aboriginal communities and grounded in respect, accountability and cultural safety.

This role supports a project working with Aboriginal communities, sporting organisations and researchers to address racism in sport and its impacts on health and wellbeing.

As the Research and Community Engagement Officer, you will play a key role in respectful community engagement and practical project delivery. Working closely with the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Research team, you will be supported through strong day -to-day guidance and research supervision.

Research experience is welcome but not required. This role is ideal for someone with transferable skills from community services, sport, heath, education, government or not-for-profit sectors who is interested in building a career in research.

About The Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, organisations and sporting partners.
• Work in culturally safe ways and follow Aboriginal community engagement protocols.
• Support planning and delivery of project activities across community and sporting settings.
• Coordinate project logistics (meetings, agendas, minutes, action tracking).
• Support data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative) with guidance
• Prepare clear reports, briefs and presentations for community and professional audiences.
• Contribute ideas to improve project delivery and translation of findings into practice.
• Maintain confidentiality and meet research governance and ethics requirements.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality in accordance with the privacy act and government regulations.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• A qualification in a relevant area (for example Health and Medical Sciences, Public Health, Psychology, Community Services, Education, Sport Management, or similar), or equivalent experience and capability.
• Experience working in culturally safe ways with Aboriginal communities and organisations, including understanding local engagement protocols.
• Knowledge of, and professional experience working with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations in South Australia.
• Ability to work well in a respectful team and take direction and feedback.
• Strong relationship-building skills, including using existing networks and building new partnerships across community and sport.
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate reports, briefs and meeting records, and communicate well with different audiences.
• Desirable: experience supporting projects that collect information from people (for example interviews, yarning, surveys or workshops) and turning this into findings and recommendations. Research experience is welcome but not required.
• Strong organisation and coordination skills to manage competing priorities, keep partners informed, and meet project timelines.
• Commitment to reconciliation, equity and tackling racism, and to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Ability to think strategically and support planning (for example identifying risks, opportunities, and practical next steps with partners).

Special Requirements

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Some out of hours work may be required.
• DCSI Employment Screening and Police Checks may be required.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community. Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Rachel Reilly at Rachel.Reilly@sahmri.com

Applications close: Wednesday 17th June 2026

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is identified.

SAHMRI considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and proof of Aboriginality will be required.

Applications close Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Contact Rachel.Reilly@sahmri.com

Apply now

At SAHMRI, we live our commitment to equity and diversity every day: respecting people as individuals and valuing differences to create a working environment that is fair and flexible, promotes personal and professional growth and benefits from the capabilities of a diverse workforce.

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