Senior Research Officer

We are seeking a Senior Research Officer / Research Fellow who will oversee and support the conduct of quality improvement and evaluation activities. The opportunity The Victorian Centre of Health Leadership for Children in Care (VCHLCC), in partnership with the Pathway to Good Health (PTGH) program, is conducting a project to strengthen healthcare delivery for children living in out‑of‑home care. This work includes evaluating VCHLCC initiatives that support clinicians working across Victoria and supporting Quality Improvement (QI) activities—such as audits and PDSA cycles—within the PTGH clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. The Senior Research Officer / Research Fellow will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting key QI and evaluation activities. Working closely with the project lead and a research officer, you’ll join a small, collaborative team driven by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes for vulnerable children. We offer hybrid work arrangements with up to 50% remote work to support flexibility and balance. Please note that on‑site attendance at the Melbourne Children’s Campus on Thursdays is essential to support QI activities within the PTGH clinic. What you’ll do Lead the design of evaluation activities including protocols for ethics / governance approvals Oversee and support the formative evaluation activities, including identifying and analysing existing data, and collecting and analysing data from participants in VCHLCC activities Oversee and support the audit and PDSA Quality Improvement cycles within the Pathway to Good Health clinic service (which may include direct observation within clinic) Develop and manage the workplan for the team Lead knowledge translation activities including the writing of manuscripts for peer‑reviewed publications, research snapshots, submission of abstracts to relevant conferences What you’ll bring Relevant PhD/Doctoral qualification (public health, evaluation, health services, or social work) At least 3 years postdoctoral experience (relative to opportunity) and appropriate level of expertise gained from a combination of experience, training or professional accreditation Track record in designing and delivering evaluation and/or quality improvement projects within health and/or child and family services sector Experience liaising and engaging effectively with multiple stakeholders across organisations and sectors Demonstrated capacity to work efficiently, independently and collaboratively in a team environment What you’ll enjoy Access a range of salary packaging options—covering entertainment, novated leases, and more A unique opportunity to join a highly respected research institute Play a key role in advancing work at Australia’s largest child health research institute Take advantage of generous personal leave and the option to purchase additional leave to suit your lifestyle Perk up with discounted coffee from Synapse, our vibrant onsite café Enjoy discounted staff parking, public transport right at your doorstep, and great facilities for cyclists Feel supported through our health and wellbeing program, which includes complimentary access to the Employee Assistance Program Access a comprehensive paid parental leave program for both birth and non‑birthing parents, with support throughout the parenting lifecycle Who we are Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem‑solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation. We are committed to the safety of children and young people and take a zero‑tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse, exploitation and harm. Child safety is prioritised in our decision‑making at all levels of the Institute. Apply now If you believe this role is a good fit for you, please apply by submitting: A 3-4‑page resume A cover letter addressing the selection criteria Ensure these documents are combined into a single PDF file. We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier‑free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates. Any questions? Reach out to Karen McLean on ************@mcri.edu.au. For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment Team at ***********@mcri.edu.au. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address. We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received. No recruitment agencies please. Applications close: 19 December 2025 (AUS Eastern Daylight time) #J-18808-Ljbffr