Fixed Term Full Time Appointment | Three Year Contract until 2029
Research Focused Academic Level C/D
Annual salary $138,554 – $177,588 pa + 17% superannuation and 6 weeks annual leave
Alice Springs Campus | Arrernte Country

Provide research leadership, oversee funded projects, build partnerships, supervise researchers, and drive research outcomes.

About the Position
As a Senior Research Fellow / Associate Professor – Maternal and Child Health Research, you will provide strategic leadership for the Molly Institute's participatory action research program in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Working closely with key partners including Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, My Midwives, and Alice Springs Hospital, you will lead the delivery of funded maternal and child health research projects and foster strong collaborative partnerships.
You will oversee research project delivery, support grant development and research outputs, and mentor junior researchers and higher degree research students. Operating in a culturally safe manner, you will uphold the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and contribute to improved health outcomes for First Nations communities.

About You
To be successful, you will require:

Key Selection criteria – Level C

• PhD in in Midwifery, Maternal and Child Health, or related discipline a related field
• Demonstrated research expertise in maternal and child health and wellbeing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health including working safely and effectively with First Nations communities.
• Health services research project management experience including demonstrated ability to make decisions, think strategically, prioritise tasks, organisational skills including the ability to prioritise and delegate to balance competing tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research outputs to publications.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in participatory action research including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and research implementation/translation.

Key Selection criteria – Level D

• Demonstrated people skills including management of high performing research teams.
• Demonstrated experience in writing research grants and attracting funding to conduct research activities.
• Demonstrated major original and innovative contributions to a relevant field of health research, which are recognised as outstanding nationally and/or internationally.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring HDR and ECR staff including successful completion of PhD students.
• Demonstrated experience with development of research project plans and budgets; project management qualification would be highly regarded.

Remuneration
Appointment to this role will be at HE Academic Level C or D. The base salary will be in the range of $138,554 - $177,588 per annum. The total remuneration package will be in the range of $162,108 - $207,777 per annum, including 17% superannuation.

First Nations Priority Recruitment Measures
While this vacancy is open to all applicants. First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply & will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy, in accordance with s57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) 1992. More information on First Nations Priority Recruitment at CDU and how to apply, available here.

Access Full Position Description
To view the full position description, please click the Apply link which will direct you to our CDU job site, then select Job Attachments.

What’s in it for you?

• An employer who values your contribution to building a bigger, better and stronger University
• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research
• Opportunities for professional development, paid study and career progression
• An enviable lifestyle in the spectacular Northern Territory
• 17% superannuation
• Up to six weeks of paid annual leave
• Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave (primary care giver), in addition to government payments (eligibility criteria apply)
• Recognition of prior service with another Australian university / NT Government for Long Service Leave (recognition applied to qualifying period only)
• Ability to negotiate transfer of leave entitlements under the Public Employment (Mobility) Act 1989
• Free on-campus parking in designated areas
• Employee Assistance Program
• Salary Packaging opportunities
• Access to over 5,000 courses via LinkedIn learning corporate membership

How to Apply
All applications must be received online via the ‘apply’ button and should include your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant skills and experience

For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Anneka Bowman by email on ann••••••••••@cdu.edu.au.

Do you need support?
CDU endeavours to establish and maintain effective systems and processes that support a flexible and inclusive workplace culture.
Adjustments can be made to support you throughout the application and selection process, as well as during employment, in line with the University’s Workplace Adjustment Policy and Procedure.

For confidential discussions, reasonable adjustment requests, or further information on workplace inclusion and policies, please contact People Services on 08 •••• •284 or peo•••••••••••@cdu.edu.au.

Diversity and Inclusion
At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity and believe that our differences will make CDU the most connected University in Australia. We are committed to maintaining a culture where every member of our University community feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals, and that they truly belong.

Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

Work Health and Safety
CDU is committed to providing a physical and psychological safe working environment. Confidential support can also be provided to employees who may be experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence outside the workplace.

Charles Darwin University is guided by our core values of Courage, Kindness, Openness, Innovation, and Leadership, which shape our daily actions and decisions. CDU is committed to being a safe and inclusive organisation for everyone.

As part of the Charles Darwin University’s commitment to providing a safe, respectful and rewarding workplace, and to meeting our legal obligations, we ask candidates to declare whether they have ever been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence or found to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, in any previous employment or through any legal process.

This information assists us to comply with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence and will be considered when assessing a candidate’s suitability for employment, to help ensure the safety of our University community.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Applications Close: Friday, 31st of July 2026.