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Table of Contents

Job Name

Research Officer

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Brief description

Research officers plan and conduct research into a variety of issues or areas.

Research officers may undertake the following tasks:

• carry out phone conversations with members of the public, organisation representatives or special interest groups to gather information
• conduct research using a variety of sources including the internet, journals and publications, or other relevant literature
• conduct primary research involving conducting interviews and focus groups
• collate and write up the results of their research for statistical or publication purposes
• collect and analyse biological, meteorological or other types of data or samples for scientific study
• study long and short term trends in population growth and health, in the areas of biological, medical and health research
• study the behaviour of animals for the purposes of zoological research
• study social, economic or social trends in order to develop policy
• perform administration, record keeping or statistical tasks related to research
• pursue funding for further research.

The successful applicants will have demonstrated research skills, highly developed computer skills and a demonstrated ability in the use of software packages. The positions would suit information professionals/librarians and applicants with professional experience as a research officer.

http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf - Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007 

Duties & responsibilities of this role

• Under the general direction of the Manager, Research and Development officer perform the following
  • Develop survey questionnaires, analyse survey results, conduct focus group and write reports
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external agencies
  • Communicate key findings to assist in setting the direction of services
  • Disseminate research information internally and externally
  • Act as the first point of contact for face-to-face, telephone and e-mail enquiries to the Research and Development Office
  • Provide routine advice to researchers and PhD students on policies and procedures relating to external funding.
  • Provide high quality administrative support to the Office as follows:
    • Process submissions and acceptance of ad hoc grants and consultancies.
    • Assist in the preparation of the submission and acceptances of grants and consultancies.
    • Assist in developing Research and Development procedural documentation and maintaining accurate records and files.
    • Assist in organizing and promoting workshops and seminars.
    • Timely updating of the forthcoming grants calendar using agency websites and funding databases (SPIN and COS).
    • Provide support and advice on the GAMS and ARIES including data entry and the production of reports to monitor progress and success.
    • Support Grants and Development Officers by assisting with the scheduling of interviews, meetings and events.
      
  • Provide secretariat support services to the Research Committee and Ethics Committee.
  • Attend the Research and Development Forums and report back to team members and record actions for the Research and Development Officer and network meetings.
  • Conduct research as directed.
  • Advise clients on accessing and using effectively the full range of information resources to meet their research needs.
  • Prepare correspondence, statements and reports covering a range of material.
  • Provide liaison and information service between branches.
  • Maintain databases.
  • Other duties consistent with the classification of the position and the work area as required.
    
• (Research Officer (Psychology/Social Work) OPEC, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=59&PageNumber=1&JobID=10160881, 10 August 2007)
• http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf \\\\\\\- Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007 
• (HAYS Office Support, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=80&PageNumber=1&JobID=10112319, 3 August 2007)
• (ANU, http://info.anu.edu.au, 8 August 2007)

(ASERNIP- SA, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=91&PageNumber=1&JobID=10084505, 8,August 2007)  

Job requirements

Qualifications/knowledge

• A degree in an appropriate discipline e.g Science, Social Science etc
• Higher degree and/or relevant significant experience desirable
• Degree or extensive relative work experience or equivalent combination of experience and training
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in library or information management.

Experience/Skills

• Demonstrate high level administration skills in an organization or similar environment
• Experience in social science
• Experience in developing surveys, analysing data and conducting literature reviews
• Experience in a community services environment is highly desirable
• Experience in working with researchers and administrators in a highly supportive client service environment and the ability to provide accurate information and advice on relevant policies and procedures
• A high degree of computer literacy, particularly with the Microsoft suite of applications and in the use of management information systems
• Well developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to ensure tasks and projects are successfully completed.
• Proven experience in information management or research support roles on international strategic, political or economical issues.
• Demonstrate experience in the use of relevant information resources including commercial databases, the deep-web and other electronic and networked resources, including Web 2.0 applications such as blogs and wikis.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to have a strong written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a small team or independently when required
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, use initiative, assess work priorities and manage conflicting deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and understanding and support organization's research environment
• A demonstrated understanding of equal opportunity principles and policies and a commitment to their application in a university context
• Demonstrate a high level of initiative and personal drive.
• A willingness to work irregular hours when required.
• Display a willingness to share work experiences/knowledge to build on the skills of others in the team
• High standards of trustworthiness, reliability, loyalty, probity and character
• Security consciousness, discretion, the ability to obtain a high level security clearance in a reasonable period of time, and the capacity to work in a secure environment. (Note: this only applies to the position in ONA)
• Applicants must be Australian citizens. (Note: this only applies to the position in ONA)
• Enjoy research
• Be able to analyse and collate information
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Be able to manage workload and meet deadlines
• Have good organisational skills.

• Research Officer (Psychology/Social Work) OPEC, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=59&PageNumber=1&JobID=10160881, 10 August 2007
• HAYS Office Support, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=80&PageNumber=1&JobID=10112319, 3 August 2007
• ASERNIP- SA, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=91&PageNumber=1&JobID=10084505, 8,August 2007
• http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf \\\\\\\- Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007 
• (ANU, http://info.anu.edu.au, 8 August 2007)
  

Salary

Salary Range: $42,000 - $73,146 pa plus 9 % super

Actual salary levels will be determined on the basis of abilities, skills and experience.  

• Research Officer (Psychology/Social Work) OPEC, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=59&PageNumber=1&JobID=10160881, 10 August 2007
• HAYS Office Support, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=80&PageNumber=1&JobID=10112319, 3 August 2007
• ASERNIP- SA, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=91&PageNumber=1&JobID=10084505, 8,August 2007 
• http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf \\\\\\\- Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007 

Industry/Organisation

ANU is a public company in the education sector

The Office of National Assessments (ONA), a part of the Australian Government

• ONA is the intelligence assessment agency that reports directly to the Prime Minister and other Senior Ministers on international political, strategic and economic issues affection Australian interests. ONA also co-ordinates and evaluates the Australian foreign intelligence community and develops intellegence policy.

http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf \\\\\\\- Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007

Research officers can work in a wide variety of fields including medical, biological, educational, social, academic, economic and political areas.

With experience and sometimes further study, promotion to managerial positions is possible.

Job listings

• Research Officer (Psychology/Social Work) OPEC, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=59&PageNumber=1&JobID=10160881, 10 August 2007)
• HAYS Office Support, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=80&PageNumber=1&JobID=10112319, 3 August 2007
•  ASERNIP- SA, http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=91&PageNumber=1&JobID=10084505, 8,August 2007
• http://www.ona.gov.au/documents/recruitment/jobs/research%20officers%20July%2007.pdf \\\\\\\- Australian Government , Office of National Assessments (ONA) - © Commonwealth of Australia - date received: 5 August, 2007
• Also found in: The Weekend Australian, Section: Career One (www.careerone.com.au) Page 3, Issue: August 4-5, 2007
• ANU. (7 August 2007). Research Adminsitration Officer. Retrieved 8 August, 2007 from http://info.anu.edu.au

Differences observed

Observed differences between the positions of Research Officer in different organisations is not great, although there are a few minor differences. For the Office of National Assessments the average salary was greater than the salary offered for the other organisations this could be due the jobs connection with the Government, with higher security and more responsibility. Please see attached the Special Requirements for employment at ONA. There also seems to be more involvement in databases and other information system activities in the research officer position at ONA.

Other References used

www.seek.com.au , 7 August 2007

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