Research Assistant - Study Nutrition Support

Overview

This is a casual, 12-month contract role based at institutions including Lyell McEwin Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia. The Research Assistant will support the GIFT trial and associated human milk research initiatives, focusing on infant nutrition studies grounded in neonatal and maternal health outcomes.

Key Duties

• Assist in the implementation of the GIFT trial and complementary human milk research projects.
• Prepare feeds for the GIFT trial following strict research project guidelines.
• Manage ordering, receipt, verification, preparation, and tracking of Pasteurised Donor Human Milk.
• Handle preparation of expressed breast milk, infant formulas, specialized feeds, and fortification per approved protocols and individual prescriptions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, infection control, and hygiene regulations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of milk orders, inventory, samples, and adherence to compliance standards.
• Monitor temperature-controlled storage units according to Food Safety Plan requirements.
• Coordinate delivery and storage of formulas and milk to nursery units.
• Maintain essential equipment, supply stocks, labels, personal protective equipment, and trial-related chemicals.
• Communicate effectively with clinical, research, nursing, midwifery, and food service teams.
• Uphold confidentiality, sample control, and trial protocols rigorously.
• Support audits, perform stocktakes, report incidents, and engage in continuous quality improvement activities.

Candidate Profile

• Degree completed or currently pursuing in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in healthcare settings such as hospitals, wards, or food services.
• Knowledge of infection control practices, food safety, and hygiene standards.
• Experience maintaining compliance records related to food safety.
• High attention to detail with accuracy in task execution.
• Proficient in using computerized systems and electronic recordkeeping.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Capability to work autonomously and as part of a wider team.
• Approach duties with empathy, care, and positivity.
• Understand medical confidentiality, privacy policies, and appropriate communications within healthcare environments.

Desired Experience

• Familiarity with ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Practice) guidelines.
• Experience within Australian hospital systems.
• Support experience in extensive interventional studies involving women and children.
• Competence in producing clear, concise, and accurate reporting.

Additional Information

• The role requires flexibility to work some outside regular hours.
• Employment screening including DCSI, Working with Children, and Police Checks are mandatory.
• Compliance with occupational vaccination assessment and vaccination policies for health facility workers applies (immunisation risk category A).
• Salary packaging benefits are available for this not-for-profit organisation, allowing pre-tax salary use for everyday expenses, reducing taxable income.
• Applicants must have legal working rights within Australia at the time of application.
• Encouragement is given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.

Organisational Values

The institute values excellence, innovation, courage, integrity, and teamwork, fostering a culture that pursues research excellence and community impact.