Research Assistant - Physiology

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.  We have six academic faculties and 13 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Our lecturers and health researchers are regarded as experts in their fields, frequently directing global research projects designed to better the lives of New Zealanders and the world, and in turn passing this knowledge on to our students.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The main purpose of this role is to provide research operations and stakeholder engagement support for the research programme to develop a novel treatment device for hearing loss, including research engagement with the Māori community. Research assistants provide a variety of administrative operations essential to research compliance and research outputs. In addition, this role was created to facilitate stakeholder engagement and to support alignment of our research operation with the Kaupapa Māori approach under the oversight of our Māori collaborators. The majority of activities for this role are based in the Department of Physiology, with some off-site activities working with communities, our stakeholders and our collaborators on relevant research.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide research operational support through administrative duties
• Data management & compliance
• Internal and external engagement
• Support engagement events in Māori communities.
• Support alignment of our research operation with the Kaupapa Māori approach, with support from Iwi United Engaged.  

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), fixed-term (up to 48 months) position. The salary range for this role is between $62,400- $69,000 dependent on skills and experience.



For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you



We are looking for someone with great organisational skills and administrative expertise. You will need good interpersonal skills, guiding others in undertaking research operations in a culturally safe and respectful environment.

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related to health (clinical or non-clinical)
• 1–2-year Research support experience relevant to the position, OR 1-2 year Experience working in health-related sector
• AND: 2+ years experience working with Māori community
• Understanding of cultural safety for Māori. While the Māori community engagement will be guided by the Iwi United Engaged, the research assistant in this role must be both confident and comfortable to proactively learn and help the research team implement the engagement process with Kaupapa Māori approaches.

Preferred:

• Postgraduate qualification (Diploma/master’s degree) or;
• 1-2 years’ experience working in a health-related workforce
• Project management skills

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 8 June 2025 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

We reserve the right to close applications early if a suitable candidate is found.

Please reach out to Haruna Suzuki-Kerr, via [email protected], for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone can thrive. For further information see Te Ara Tautika | the Equity Policy and visit www.equity.auckland.ac.nz