Research Associate - Aussie FIT Program

About us
Curtin’s School of Population Health is a comprehensive academic school that delivers a range of undergraduate courses and numerous specialist postgraduate courses in public health and psychology.
Curtin’s Faculty of Health Sciences has four academic schools that deliver a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree by research (HDR) courses.

About the role

Curtin School of Population Health is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to the National Heart Foundation-funded research project centered on the Aussie Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) program, and associated work. The Aussie-FIT program is a theory and evidence based physical activity and healthy eating behaviour change intervention. The program is delivered by trained coaches in local football settings and has shown promise as an approach to help men with or at risk of cardiovascular disease make sustainable changes to their health behaviours, weight, well-being, and other indices of health. With significant funding from the National Heart Foundation, we will now undertake research to scale-up the program to more men in Western Australia, and scale-out to other States and Territories.
We wish to recruit a Research Associate to join the team working on this project. The successful candidate will support CI-A Associate Professor Eleanor Quested as the overall project manager/research fellow for activities in the National Heart Foundation grant. This role will involve considerable collaboration with members of the project team at Curtin University, other University partners, football club personnel, other stakeholders, and consumers to deliver high quality and innovative research with strong potential for sustainability. While the majority of the role will be dedicated to delivering the commitments of the National Heart Foundation funded grant, there will also be opportunities to contribute to other relevant projects. This is a research-focused position, based at the enAble Institute on Curtin’s Bentley campus, reporting to Associate Professor Eleanor Quested.
Previous experience in research experience with ‘fans in training’ style programs, weight management and heath behavior change research as well as and implementation science expertise are highly desirable. This post will suit a highly motivated individual with excellent teamwork, organization, written and oral communication skills, who can work effectively when managing the demands of multiple consecutive tasks. 

In this role you will

• Support A/Prof Quested by coordinating the specified research activities in Western Australia.
• Contribute to the development and of and prepare ethics applications, research protocols and materials, and recruitment and intervention materials.
• Design and execute plans for data collection, analysis and dissemination of findings (e.g., dissemination materials, academic publications, funder reports).
• Support A/Prof Quested in management of the multi-state/territory elements of the project.
• Provide guidance and support to inter-state/territory partners where appropriate.
• Be the primary point of contact for participants, coaches and some other stakeholders associated with the project.
• Undertake administrative tasks associated with the research activities.
• Contribute to and where feasible, lead applications for funding and grants.
• Prepare journal articles and conference papers suitable for publication in top-tier outlets.
• Manage and mentor teams of research assistants and/or students that support research activities.
• Supervise postgraduate and undergraduate students as appropriate.
• Undertake other activities which the incumbent might reasonably be expected to do, and which are consistent with the accountabilities and responsibilities as listed above.

• State of the art offices and agile working.
• A flexible benefits package with excellent superannuation provisions.
• A vibrant campus with gym, child care, wellness programs, medical and counselling services.
• Curtin continues to be a leader in reconciliation in the Higher Education sector, being one of the first Universities to receive accreditation for an Elevate RAP - the highest level within Reconciliation Australia’s Workplace RAP Framework.
• The University has recently been named as one of Australia’s Inclusive Employers for 2019-2020 by the Diversity Council of Australia (DCA)
• A major global player, with well-integrated campuses in Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Dubai.

For further information on Curtin and all of our employee benefits visit https://about.curtin.edu.au/jobs/

We are looking for someone with

• A PhD (completed or close to submission) in health psychology, public health, implementation science, related to the project topic area.
• Experience in research concerning sport-based men’s health interventions.
• Experience and efficient in research trial / project co-ordination.
• Research skills and experience in implementation science.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with consumers and other stakeholders.
• Excellent academic writing skills.
• Genuine interest in and passion for this area of research.
• Valid driving licence and own car.

Please apply on-line with a cover letter addressing the specific selection criteria and resume to enable us to assess your suitability for the role.

Applications close: 10pm AWST Wednesday 15th June 2022

Work Requirements

• Prior to appointment, the recommended applicant/s will need to have a current criminal record check in accordance with the University's National Police Certificate Assessment Procedures.  

Candidates should note that Curtin University has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Procedures which covers all staff, students, campuses and activities, effective 21 February 2022. 

If you are invited to attend the next stage of assessments, you may be required to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status (or formally granted exemption) upon arrival, and if you are offered a role at Curtin, you will be required to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination or exemption status prior to commencing employment.

Contact details

If you have any queries in relation to the requirements of this role please contact:
Associate Professor Eleanor Quested, on 08 9266 5693. 

Inclusion and Diversity at Curtin

We are committed to ensuring that Curtin has an inclusive environment, free from harassment, in which all students, staff and the community feel respected, valued and welcome.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and are committed to making reasonable adjustments to enable people with disability to participate fully in our recruitment, selection and appointment processes.

We have received recognition in this area:

• Voted one of Australia’s Inclusive Employers for 2019-2020 (Diversity Council of Australia).
• Have become one of the first Universities to receive accreditation for an Elevated Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Achieved Athena Swan Bronze Accreditation (2018-2022).
• Voted 16th best workplace for new dads in Australia (HBF - Direct Advice for Dads, 2019).

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.