Research Assistant - [Archived Advertisement]

Are you passionate about making a difference in water safety and drowning prevention? Are you a detail-oriented individual with excellent research and analytical skills? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Research and Coast Safe teams at Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) and Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) as a Research Assistant.

At Surf Life Saving (SLS), we are dedicated to promoting water safety, preventing drowning, and providing lifesaving services to communities across Australia. We are seeking two Research Assistants across our SLSA and SLSNSW offices to support our research, reporting, analysis, and evaluation efforts in collaboration with our Research Team Leader and Lifesaving Manager. 

As a Research Assistant, you will play a crucial role in assisting the Research Team Leader and Lifesaving Manager in conducting research, collecting and analysing data and preparing reports. This will support the delivery of Surf Life Saving’s priorities in the areas of water safety, drowning prevention, injury prevention, lifesaving services, member welfare, member and public education. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking investigations and research into coastal drowning deaths and other coastal fatalities.
• Collaborating with universities and research organizations to fill gaps in coastal drowning and beach safety research.
• Maintaining and updating various mortality databases that collate information on drowning deaths and other incidents, injuries and longitudinal survey data. 
• Collecting, cleaning, transforming, and analysing data for organisational reporting and academic publications.
• Representing Surf Life Saving at appropriate forums and working groups.
• Assisting with other research projects and tasks as assigned.

To be successful in this role, you will need to meet the following selection criteria:

1) Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field (such as Science, Public Health, or Epidemiology) and experience in data analysis.
• Training in statistical analysis and interpretation (quantitative and qualitative). 
• Tertiary-level research experience, including data analysis, evaluation, research methods and reporting research findings

2) Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of ethical and privacy requirements in working with sensitive and confidential data
• Experience with large datasets, and a track record of publishing and/or presenting research results in peer-reviewed forums.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data analysis software (e.g., R and SPSS)
• Proficiency in Power BI and/or other relevant software (Highly desirable or willingness to do training). 
• Spatial mapping skills, specifically Esri ArcGIS is highly desirable. 
• Knowledge of coastal environments and water safety

3) Skills and Attributes:

• Resilience when dealing with distressing data, strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work autonomously and collaboratively, attention to detail, and ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.

What We Offer:

• Hybrid working model with opportunities to work from home and from our Surf Life Saving NSW Office in Belrose or either of our two Surf Life Saving Australia offices in La Perouse or Bondi. 
• Flexible work arrangements and a healthy work-life balance.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions are valued.
• Competitive salary and opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Academic mentoring and supervision by a leading impact ecologist and coastal safety researcher connected with universities around the country. 
• Chance to make a meaningful impact on water safety and drowning prevention initiatives through applied research and implementation science.
• As Surf Life Saving is a not-for-profit organisation, you will have access to salary packaging. 

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're ready to join a dynamic team and contribute to coastal safety and lifesaving research and initiatives, we want to hear from you! Apply now and be part of our mission to save lives and keep our beaches safe.

Please address all three areas of the selection criteria in your application.

Please note that only applicants with the eligibility to work in Australia will be considered for this role. 

Surf Life Saving is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to safeguarding children and young people. All candidates will be required to undertake a working with children check.