Community Research Assistant (Identified Position)

About the role

The Thompson Institute at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is recruiting a Community Research Assistant for its Let's Yarn About Sleep (LYAS) initiative, which supports sleep health service delivery across North West Queensland. The role is identified and open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is based in Mount Isa. It is full-time (36.25 hours per week) on a fixed-term appointment until January 2030, with a salary of $82,843-$93,358 p.a. plus up to 17% employer superannuation.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate end-to-end participant recruitment for the sleep health program across North West Queensland, applying research protocols and resolving routine recruitment and scheduling matters.
• Provide responsive program administration, keeping records, documentation and communications accurate, timely and compliant with University and research requirements.
• Support research administration and communication, including recruitment, data collection and collation, participant enquiries and triage of stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate and support culturally responsive community sleep health improvement activities and service delivery, drawing on local knowledge to improve engagement and outcomes.

Required profile

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander professional, approachable, confident and committed to building positive relationships with participants, colleagues and community stakeholders.
• Organised, self-motivated and detail-focused, able to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration, participant recruitment and data management, and of culturally safe community engagement and yarning approaches.
• Knowledge of sleep science and narrative therapy, or the capacity to acquire it, is desirable.

Required skills

• Well-developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, including managing sensitive enquiries.
• Experience maintaining databases and research records, validating data and ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office and research or clinical systems, and the capacity to learn quickly about PSG and actigraphy technologies.

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements and paid cultural leave under the Enterprise Agreement.
• Culturally informed wellbeing support and professional development opportunities.
• Onboarding, mentoring and ongoing cultural support for Indigenous staff.

Applications close midnight on Monday 16 November 2026 and must be submitted through the university's careers website, including a resume.