Research Assistant - Full Time - Surf Life Saving Australia
23/06/2025
23/07/2025
Permanent - Full Time
Bondi/Hybrid
Biotech, R&D, Science, Research
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 team at SLSA as a Research Assistant.
At SLSA, we are dedicated to promoting water safety, preventing drowning, and providing lifesaving services to communities across Australia. We are seeking a research assistant to support our research, reporting, analysis, and evaluation efforts in collaboration with our National Research Manager.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is Australia's leading authority in coastal water safety, drowning prevention, and rescue operations. With more than 198,000 members from all backgrounds and demographics across 315 affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs), we represent the largest volunteer movement of its kind in Australia.
Since it establishment in 1907, Surf Life Saving has saved over 700,000 lives. In the 2023/24 season, our active members were involved in 8,857 rescues, provided 49,331 first aid treatments, and carried out nearly 2.5 million preventative actions, contributing over 1.46 million volunteer patrol hours. Our volunteers are the backbone of this remarkable effort, and through their dedication, we continue to lead the charge in coastal safety across Australia.
Our mission remains clear - to save lives, create great Australians, and build better communities. Through innovative approaches, strategic partnerships, and continuous education, we are committed to reducing coastal drowning fatalities.
Our vision is simple – zero preventable deaths in Australian waters. And with the support of corporate sponsors, government grants, and public donations, we ensure that we can continue delivering vital services and initiatives for beachgoers nationwide.
By joining SLSA, you’ll be a part of something greater. You’ll contribute to saving lives, fostering community connections, and creating lasting impact on Australia’s coastal culture. We are not just a movement; we are a force for good. Be a part of something that matters.
Job Description
The purpose of this role is to assist the National Research Manager with administration, research (including human ethics), reporting, analysis, and evaluation duties to support, guide and assist SLSA’s business priorities in areas related to water safety, drowning prevention, lifesaving, injury prevention, epidemiology, member welfare, and member and public education.
SLSA’s research portfolio is diverse and covers many topics from drowning epidemiology to marine envenomation treatment. Our research projects include quantitative and qualitative analyses, with experimental, observational, and retrospective cohort research design.
Responsibilities
The focus of this role is to support the conduct of this research that underpins current and future strategic directions, programs and resource allocation to ensure best practice across all areas of Surf Life Saving.
Coastal Drowning, Injury Prevention and Surf Life Saving-related Research
• Collate, organise, vali and import national fatality data for epidemiological and other analyses, and identify gaps in existing data and propose solutions to address them
• Consult with universities and research organisations focusing on identified gaps in the fatality database or that align with SLSA Strategic Plan
• Promote SLSA research through the SLSA website, developing research media articles and publishing research initiatives and findings
• Attend meetings of the SLSA Research Advisory Working Group (RAWG)
• Attend and take minutes for meetings of the SLS Australasian Research Working Group
Planning and Reporting
• When requested, produce timely, effective and accurate progress reports in relation to the research program, epidemiological data and causal factor and gap analyses
Effective administration of SLSA Research Program
• Coordinate and manage collection of data and analysis, completion of research reports and dissemination of research results
• Support reporting needs relating to research project and ethical agreements
Stakeholder Relationships
• Effective communication and relationships with external academic partners, Research Advisory Committee, SLS state and territory entities, database custodians, and research participants
• Contribute to the translation of research to reach operational objectives and promote understanding of research implications
• Support the management of ethical agreements between SLSA and our research partners, including the National Coronial Information System (NCIS)
Desired Skills and Experience
Who You Are
Our ideal candidate will have:
1) Qualifications:
• Bachelor Degree in a relevant field (such as Science, Public Health or Epidemiology, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences) with experience and qualifications in data management and analysis
• Training in experimental design, statistical analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and interpretation
• 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
• Computer literate, including experience with MS Office and data analysis software (e.g. R and SPSS)
• Experience in establishing and maintaining large datasets
• Strong excel skills and a good understanding of statistical analyses for experimental design
• GIS and PowerBI skills would be welcomed
• Experience publishing and/or presenting research results in peer-reviewed forums
3) Skills and Attributes:
• Ability to demonstrate resilience when dealing with potentially distressing data and the ability to proactively seek and utilise support when encountering challenging or distressing information
• Ability to develop strong internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Strong ability to pivot between projects and proactively prioritise tasks that span diverse research topics
• Strong communication and time management skills
• Highly organised and efficient, with exceptional organisational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to seek out opportunities to contribute beyond assigned duties, showing a commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth
• Partner well with others, demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and thrive in collaborative, team environments to achieve shared goals
• Driven and self-motivated, taking initiative and working independently with minimal supervision
• Sound written and oral presentation skills suited to a diversity of audiences
• Ability to show initiative, prioritise competing work demands and meet deadlines
• Take ownership of tasks and projects, anticipating needs and confident to act without being prompted
SLSA Benefits and Culture
SLSA is committed to ensuring all employees have a work life balance within their role.
• Hybrid working model with opportunities to work from home and from our Surf Life Saving Australia offices
• 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
• Chance to make a meaningful impact
• 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 SLSA, we want to hear from you! Apply now and be part of our mission to save lives and keep our beaches safe.
Selection Criteria
Please address the following selection criteria questions in your Cover Letter (note: applications that do not address the questions below will not be considered):
1. Describe your relevant qualifications and research experience, including your ability to design and conduct research, analyse quantitative and qualitative data, and report findings.
Please include examples of your academic background, data management expertise, and experience using statistical software such as R or SPSS.
2. Provide an example of a time when you worked with sensitive or confidential data. Explain how you ensured ethical standards and privacy were upheld and outline any frameworks or protocols you followed.
3. Tell us about a situation where you managed competing priorities across multiple research projects. Highlight how you planned your time, adapted to change, and maintained high standards across diverse subject areas.
4. Demonstrate your interpersonal and communication skills by describing how you have successfully built collaborative relationships with stakeholders or research partners. Include how your approach contributed to the success of a project and how you tailored communication for different audiences.
Eligibility
Please note that only applicants with the eligibility to work in Australia will be considered for this role. To be successful, you must hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship.
Surf Life Saving is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a fair and inclusive workplace. SLSA values diversity and encourages all qualified individuals to apply for any of our recruitment opportunities.
SLSA ensures a commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
All candidates will be required to undertake a working with children check before commencing work with SLSA.
SLSA provides workplace adjustments for people with a disability.
SLSA reserve the right not to proceed with any appointment.
SLSA reserves the right to interview candidates or fill the position prior to the closing date if a suitable applicant is found.
