ORIMA Research is a private Australian-owned professional services firm that provides market and social research, data analytics, organisational performance improvement and related advisory services. We are a genuine public sector research specialist, whereby over 90% of our clients are in the government sector. Established in 1996, we now have around 80 professional staff working across four offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.

ORIMA is a values-based organisation and we pride ourselves on our service ethos, high performance culture, innovation, integrity and focus on helping our staff to thrive. We are:

• People who believe in the value of evidence-based approaches to inform government decision making;
• Lateral thinkers and problem solvers – we find the best solutions for our clients; and
• From a diverse range of qualifications and professional backgrounds.

We are looking for a Graduate Research Assistant for our professional Qualitative divisions, in our newly built and bright Melbourne office. We anticipate this role to begin around June to July, but an earlier start may be available for suitably qualified candidates. After 12 months employment and subject to manager assessment of performance, Graduate Assistants are assessed to become Associate Research Consultants. Additional benefits include:

• Comprehensive on-the-job training
• Buddy program with previous Graduate
• Learn from skilled, qualified professionals wanting to help you grow (ORIMA has more Qualified Professional Researchers (QPR) than any other firm)
• Annual off-site conference/retreat
• Regular social events and celebrations
• Access to Employee Assistance Program

The Role

Do you have an analytical mind? Are you curious?

Do you enjoy problem solving using qualitative data?

Do you get excited by telling a meaningful story from data?

Are you interested in understanding and measuring how people think, feel and behave?

If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above, then you may be interested in our 2025 Graduate Program. We’re looking for high-performing graduates who take pride in the quality of their work, who want to learn and be intellectually challenged, who want to develop a strong professional foundation, and who seek to thrive in their workplace.

ORIMA Graduate Program

ORIMA Research is committed to training and developing young Australians. Our formal graduate program provides high-potential graduates with a pathway to a rewarding career in research, data analytics and consulting, through transparent and clear career progression during the graduate program and beyond.

This is a career growth opportunity to be part of an expanding, high-performance, award-winning private research consultancy firm with a supportive and strengths-based culture, underpinned by positive psychology principles, with a strong focus on scientific and intellectual rigour, and collaboration and development.

Our graduate program is underpinned by a Competency Framework and a clear progression pathway. The program provides the opportunity and support to learn and develop quantitative and/or qualitative research skills, as well as the technical and non-technical skills required for a successful career in the private sector and the market and social research industry.

Successful applicants will work primarily within the Qualitative team but have the opportunity to collaborate across a variety of public sector projects and research disciplines to develop and hone their technical and professional skills, as well as take part in a graduate project with peers. We have a very strong, collaborative culture that is enhanced by our staff being co-located in our offices.

Graduates in the professional stream will be exposed to a broad range of research and consulting skills including:

• understanding and designing qualitative research methodologies
• analysing and interpreting qualitative data (using SPSS, Q, and Excel and other tools)
• producing, understanding and analysing charts and descriptive statistics in meaningful ways
• organising and conducting research fieldwork, including online surveys, interviews and focus groups (as applicable)
• project management and co-ordination
• problem solving, drawing insights from findings and report writing.

We have around 1 to 2 graduate positions available for our 2025 intake of Qualitative Graduates in Melbourne. Across our Graduate Program specifically, roles are available in:

• Qualitative research teams (Melbourne only)
• Quantitative research teams (Melbourne and Canberra)

REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Residency Status:

• Australian Citizen/New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident

Qualifications:

• Graduate or postgraduate qualification/s in a relevant area (e.g. Psychology, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Behavioural Science, Law, Commerce)
• Studies in Research Methods would be well regarded
• HD average in graduate/ postgraduate course (WAM of over 80)

General Technical Skills:

• Experience with Excel, Word and Powerpoint
• Knowledge of research methodologies

Additional specific Technical Skills/ Experience/ Requirements (Qualitative Division):

• Experience interacting professionally with stakeholders, clients or the general public, in person and over the phone
• Flexibility to travel around Australia and work evenings weekdays on a regular basis (2-3 days per week) at short notice
• Scientific, objective, logical, team oriented

Professional Skills

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Advanced communication skills – both verbal and written with clear spoken English
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Time management and organisation skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure, to short timeframes, and in a constructive and helpful manner
• An interest in and possible understanding of the public sector environment
• A positive mindset, resilient and ‘can do’ attitude, maintaining a solutions focus - ensuring you are positive with those around you
• Adaptability, energy, and flexibility to work with varying workloads including during peak periods
• Motivated by excellence, continual learning and intellectual rigour
• Strong learner with a desire to advance consulting skills and grow in leadership
• Humble, versatile and prepared to apply self to whatever is required to advance projects and serve client and team needs
• Focussed on a career in commercial social research/consulting

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will ONLY be accepted via our website.

Applications close 30 April 2025. We strongly advise prospective candidates to submit their applications promptly, as interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis with suitably qualified candidates.

Positive Police check and Working with Vulnerable People checks required. Must be able to work full time at the office as we have a collegiate, supportive office based working culture.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Applications must include the following. Applications that do not include the following will not be considered.

1. CV
2. Academic records (including transcripts of tertiary qualification/s)
3. Cover letter (of no more than 2 pages) addressing the key job requirements and outlining how well you align with ORIMA’s corporate values.

PLEASE NOTE

Our selection process involves four stages as follows:

1. First round interview
2. Psychometric testing and in-office skills assessment
3. Second round interview
4. Final interview and offers

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for Stage 1.