Research Manager

Patients Australia is looking for a seasoned public health researcher who can take a project from first question to final report and see the findings used in policy and advocacy.

About us

We are the national peak body for patient advocacy: an independent not-for-profit working to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, safe and centred on patients. Our patient voice research provides a wonderful evidence base for our submissions, media commentary and campaigns across the health system.

About the role

This is a hands-on role for a researcher who is comfortable and experienced with managing research projects independently.

Projects span the health system, from medicines access and out-of-pocket costs to virtual care, primary care and specialist experience. The focus is not peer-reviewed publication. It is turning findings into reports, briefs, submissions and presentations that shift policy for the benefit of patients.

You will own the full research pipeline: designing and running surveys, managing and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and writing it up clearly for consumers and the people who make decisions about our healthcare. You will have a strong focus on accurate, high-quality and accessible outputs, and on finding influential ways to ensure patient voice cuts through the noise.

What you will bring:

• PhD in a relevant field such as public health or health services research
• At least five years of post-doctoral experience managing research projects end to end
• A strong grasp of the Australian health policy environment, and the ability to frame research findings in policy terms and discuss them credibly with policymakers, media and partners
• Comfort working independently, setting the plan and delivering to it with minimal oversight
• Experience designing and running surveys, including both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Track record of producing clear, high-quality reports and briefs for non-academic policy and media audiences
• Demonstrated ability to ensure accuracy and attention to detail in final research outputs

The details:

• Six-month fixed-term contract, with a strong likelihood of extension
• Full-time or part-time by negotiation
• $120,000 to $140,000 per annum (1.0 FTE, pro-rata for part-time), plus superannuation
• Remote, applicants must be based in Australia with full, unrestricted working rights (e.g., Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible visa) at the time of application. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.