About

Role Type: 2-year part time contract (22.8 hours per week)
Salary: $109,334 - $117,360 per annum (pro rata) plus superannuation

About the role

We’re seeking a Part Time Research Officer to support the development, testing and refinement of evidence-informed lead indicators across early years services within the RSTO framework.

This role sits at the intersection of research, policy and practice. You’ll help translate complex research and practice evidence into indicators that are meaningful, feasible and actionable for services and communities—ensuring our work remains rigorous, relevant and grounded in real-world contexts.

Working closely with policy, practice and data teams, as well as external partners, you’ll contribute to building a strong, shared measurement and continuous improvement approach that supports better outcomes for children.

Restacking the Odds (RSTO)

Helping every child get the best possible start

High-quality early childhood services can change the course of a child’s life. When families can access the right mix of high quality services over time—and receive extra support when they need it—the benefits stack up. But in Australia, access to these services remains deeply unequal. RSTO is tackling this challenge by working with local early years partnerships and service providers to ensure they have the right data to help them improve decisions to build a stronger stack of local services.

Key responsibilities

Conduct targeted literature reviews and evidence syntheses to inform RSTO lead indicators
Translate research and practice evidence into practical, usable indicators
Support the design, testing and documentation of indicators, including definitions and guidance for use
Collaborate with internal teams and data partners to ensure indicators are relevant and feasible
Review indicator use, incorporate feedback, and respond to emerging evidence
Manage timelines and deliver indicator-related activities on schedule
Contribute to strategic thinking about the ongoing evolution of RSTO indicators
Conduct research ethically and in line with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and MCRI policies

About you

PhD/Doctoral qualification with relevant postdoctoral experience
Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience in mixed-methods research and evidence translation
Demonstrated experience conducting systematic literature reviews
Experience with place-based, community-led or systems-change initiatives is highly regarded

Please view the position description here.

Any questions? Reach out to Olivia Hilton at olivia.hilton@mcri.edu.au.

What you’ll enjoy

Access a range of salary packaging options—covering entertainment, novated leases, and more
Work on research with real-world impact, directly informing early childhood practice, policy and systems change
Contribute to a nationally significant initiative focused on equity and improving outcomes for children and families
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning research, policy, practice and data
Engage closely with communities and early years partnerships, ensuring research is grounded and meaningful
Opportunity to shape and refine evidence-informed indicators used across diverse service contexts
Build experience at the intersection of research translation and implementation
Flexible, intellectually stimulating role with scope to influence strategic thinking and continuous improvement

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 recruitment@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.

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: 20 February 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight time