Community Research Assistant - Identified Position

• Thompson Institute | Fully remote work arrangement from North West Queensland
• Based in Mount Isa, on the traditional lands of the Kalkadoon (Kalkatungu) Peoples
• Level 5, $82,843 - $93,358 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time (36.25 hours per week), fixed-term appointment until January 2030

The Opportunity

Join a meaningful community research initiative and make a real difference to the lives of Queensland families! As a Community Research Assistant, you’ll play a key role in supporting the Let’s Yarn About Sleep (LYAS) initiative, helping coordinate participant recruitment and providing welcoming, high-quality administration and customer service. As the regional first point of contact, you’ll connect with participants, staff, students and community stakeholders, respond to enquiries, coordinate activities and provide proactive support to help deliver this important research program successfully.

This role is identified and open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For more information, please visit us online: Thompson Institute

You will

• Coordinate end-to-end participant recruitment for the sleep health service delivery program across the North West Queensland region, applying established research protocols and exercising judgement to resolve routine recruitment and scheduling matters;
• Provide high-quality, responsive program administration, independently prioritising routine activities and ensuring records, documentation and communications are accurate, timely and compliant with University and research requirements;
• Provide high level administrative and communication support for research including recruitment, data collection and collation, participant enquiries and effective triage of stakeholder communications; and 
• Coordinate and support culturally responsive community sleep health improvement activities and service delivery, contributing local knowledge and practical recommendations to enhance participant engagement and program outcomes.

Why join UniSC

At UniSC, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and lived experience are valued and respected. We are committed to a culturally safe workplace where Indigenous staff can build meaningful relationships, contribute to their communities and develop their careers.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research and community engagement while connecting with UniSC’s Indigenous Staff Network (ISN) and a supportive network of Indigenous colleagues across the University.

About you

You are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander professional who is approachable, confident and committed to building positive relationships with participants, colleagues and community stakeholders. You are organised, self-motivated and detail-focused, with the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records. You bring a collaborative and culturally respectful approach to community engagement and are committed to delivering high-quality work and meaningful research outcomes.

To be successful you will possess:

• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration, participant recruitment and data management processes, with the ability to interpret and apply established protocols, procedures and ethical requirements. Knowledge of sleep science and narrative therapy, or the demonstrated capacity to acquire this knowledge, is desirable;
• Demonstrated understanding of culturally safe community engagement and yarning approaches used in research data collection, including the ability to build respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and communities;
• Well-developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain information clearly, manage sensitive enquiries and liaise effectively with participants, community stakeholders and multidisciplinary research teams;
• Demonstrated initiative, organisational ability and sound judgement in prioritising competing activities, resolving routine operational issues and meeting research and service delivery deadlines under general direction;
• Demonstrated experience maintaining databases and research records, undertaking data validation and quality assurance, identifying discrepancies and ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and data integrity;
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and relevant research or clinical systems, with experience in, or the capacity to rapidly develop proficiency in, PSG and actigraphy technologies; and
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality service, continuous improvement and culturally responsive practice, with a proven ability to work accurately, ethically and collaboratively.

Identified position and support

The University of the Sunshine Coast considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) and the filling of this position constitutes a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

We recognise that cultural knowledge, community leadership, lived experience and professional expertise are valuable strengths and encourage applicants from diverse career pathways to apply.

How to apply

All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at: Careers at UniSC

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 16 November 2026.

Position description:  494896_Community Research Assistant - Identified.pdf

Your completed application must include:

• a resume, noting your application will be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description. There will be opportunity within the application form to also include supporting documentation should you wish.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team.

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Prof Fatima Yaqoot
Professor in Sleep Research - Thompson Institute
Telephone: 07 5456 5315
Email: fyaqoot@usc.edu.au

or 

Roslyn Von Senden
Community Research and Engagement Manager - Thompson Institute
Telephone: 07 5459 4609
Email: rvonsenden@usc.edu.au

Our Culture & Benefits:

At UniSC, our culture is built around flexibility, respect and trust, with employment conditions that recognise cultural responsibilities alongside professional commitments.

• Indigenous‑specific employment provisions under UniSC’s Enterprise Agreement, including paid cultural leave and support for cultural and community responsibilities;
• Flexible work arrangements that support connection to Country, community and family;
• Culturally informed wellbeing support, including access to employee assistance services;
• Professional development and career progression opportunities, with support that recognises achievement relative to opportunity;
• Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander intellectual and cultural knowledges, with clear protections around ownership, consent and ethical use; and
• A collegial, values‑led workplace where relationships, respect and care for people matter.

Support doesn't end at recruitment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are supported through culturally informed onboarding, professional development, mentoring opportunities and ongoing cultural support throughout their employment journey. The successful candidate will join a growing network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academic and professional staff across UniSC and be supported through established Indigenous leadership, employment and community engagement initiatives.

These benefits sit alongside UniSC’s broader commitment to providing a safe, supportive and flexible workplace where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff can build sustainable, meaningful careers.

For more information, visit https://careers.usc.edu.au/employer-information