Senior Research Officer

Role Type: 6-month parental leave cover contract

Hours: Part time – 22.8 hours per week
Salary: $ 137,434 p.a plus super (pro rata)

The opportunity:

Join MCRI’s Orthopaedics and Gait Lab as a Senior Research Officer in this exciting parental leave cover opportunity supporting the CORe research program. Working closely with clinicians and research leaders, you will lead major grant and funding applications, drive high-quality clinical research, and contribute to projects that improve outcomes for children and young people. This role offers the chance to work in a highly collaborative environment while mentoring emerging researchers and shaping future research impact. This role is a 6-month parental leave cover contract offered on a part time basis at 22.8 hours per week.

What you’ll do  

• Lead and coordinate major grant and funding applications, including CRE and CTCS submissions


• Conduct and deliver high-quality clinical research aligned with strategic priorities


• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with clinicians and stakeholders


• Mentor and support junior researchers while fostering a positive research culture


• Drive research outputs including publications, ethics submissions, and knowledge translation initiatives

What you’ll bring

• PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification with relevant postdoctoral research experience


• Proven track record in grant success, research leadership, and high-quality publications


• Experience conducting and delivering clinical research projects


• Strong scientific writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills


• Demonstrated ability to mentor researchers and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

Please view the position description here.

Any questions? Reach out to Bec Moorhead [email protected].

What you’ll enjoy

• Access a range of salary packaging options—covering entertainment, novated leases, and more


• Shape future research priorities and funding pipelines within paediatric orthopaedics


• Mentor and support emerging researchers within a collaborative research environment


• Gain exposure to large-scale multidisciplinary clinical research programs and strategic partnerships


• Collaborate closely with clinicians and research leaders across the CORe program


• 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


• Enjoy discounted staff parking, public transport right at your doorstep, and great facilities for cyclists

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 takes 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:

• Your 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.

For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment Team at [email protected]. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.

Please note, 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: Friday12 June AUS Eastern Daylight time