The Opportunity

Are you a researcher with a track record in immunisation research and development, and expertise in the field of health system strengthening? Burnet Institute have a brand new role that might be right for you!

Burnet’s capacity, know-how and experience meant we were able to respond swiftly at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in areas like diagnostic and vaccine research; advocating for the use of masks and lockdowns to contain transmission; public health research and modelling to inform isolation, lockdown, and vaccine preparedness; international presence and experience to support low-income countries and advocating about the risk of airborne transmission in quarantine.

A unique opportunity is now available for a Research Fellow (RF) to play a key new role within Burnet’s pandemic preparedness activities now and in the future. The RF – Immunisation will focus on the delivery of immunisation programs across the region, supporting vaccination and immunisation strengthening activities, leading related research in the region, with a focus on health system strengthening and workforce development.

This role comes with significant opportunities to be part of a team, to grow expertise, attract funding, provide leadership and build capacity within the Institute and with our partners. We are a flexible workplace and there will be opportunities for ongoing partial working from home (post COVID-19 restrictions). Applicants living outside of Melbourne are also strongly encouraged.

This position is initially for a 5 year period with the possibility of extension. An attractive salary and start-up package will be offered to the successful candidate.

Refer to the attached position description for full details.

Let’s talk about you

The successful incumbent will have:

• PhD or equivalent qualification in a related area (health system strengthening, immunisation, surveillance, public health)
• An emerging national and/or international track record in planning and implementation of immunisation research and development with a focus on service provision, scale-up and workforce development.
• Expertise and experience in the field of health system strengthening.
• People management skills including team work, capacity building, collaboration and communication

The following experience is preferable:

• An understanding of how new vaccine technology and innovative vaccination programs may be implemented and scaled up in the community
• Implementation and/or research experience in resource-poor countries especially in the Asia Pacific region
• An understanding of the global vaccine/immunisation architecture (i.e. GAVI, WHO, UNICEF)

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – improving the health of vulnerable communities around the world.

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• Flexible working arrangements
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation that uniquely links medical research with practical action to achieve better health for disadvantaged communities and help solve devastating global health problems.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Disease Elimination, Behaviours and Health Risks, and Health Security, are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined above and in the attached position description)
• Resume including the names and contact details of three referees

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT on Monday, 1 November 2021.

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or National Police Check.