Career opportunities

• Join one of Australia’s leading independent, not-for-profit organisations and serve as the Institute’s Research Administration Officer (RAO), helping to strengthen the governance and delivery of high-quality health research.
• Ongoing, part time position (0.6 FTE), based in Sydney with hybrid working arrangements.
• Purpose-driven organisation with generous salary packaging benefits.
• Support meaningful work that improves health and wellbeing across Australia.

About the Sax Institute

We bring together the broadest range of evidence, tools and methods, data, and trusted partnerships across governments, communities, services and academia.

We connect evidence, data and decision-makers to generate independent intelligence, support better decisions and create real-world impact for a healthier future for every generation.

Our people are collaborative, curious and purpose-driven. We value flexibility, inclusion and continuous learning, and we’re united by a shared commitment to improving the lives of Australians.

Why this role matters

Every role at the Sax Institute contributes to improving health and wellbeing through better use of evidence. Strong research governance helps ensure health research is conducted responsibly, delivered effectively and capable of creating meaningful impact. As the Research Governance and Grants Manager, you’ll maintain and strengthen the Institute’s research governance approach, help navigate complex requirements and support high-quality grant applications and funded projects. Your expertise will build confidence across the organisation, support compliance with national codes and help create the conditions for research to translate into better health and wellbeing outcomes

What you’ll do

Working as part of our Business Transformation division and reporting to the Director, Legal, Risk and Compliance, you’ll act as the Institute’s Research Administration Officer (RAO), providing specialist advice and support across research governance, integrity and grant funding. You’ll work collaboratively with researchers, Chief Investigators, project teams and funding agencies to strengthen research practice and support the effective delivery of funded research.

You’ll:

• Partner with teams across the Institute to build understanding, confidence and engagement in research governance and integrity requirements.
• Act as the Institute’s Research Administration Officer (RAO), providing expert guidance on detailed requirements of research governance, integrity, compliance and researcher responsibilities.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Sax Institute Research Governance Framework, including its supporting policies, procedures, tools and resources.
• Advise researchers and project teams on responsible research practices, researcher responsibilities, governance requirements and potential breaches.
• Support Chief Investigators and researchers to meet governance, compliance and funding requirements for awarded grants.
• Identify funding opportunities and emerging priorities through regular monitoring and horizon scanning of the research and funding landscape.
• Guide the development of grant applications by interpreting funding rules, coordinating inputs and checking non-financial compliance with grant guidelines.
• Monitor grant milestones, reporting obligations, project delivery requirements and variations, helping teams identify and address emerging issues.
• Build productive relationships with funding bodies, research partners and internal stakeholders to support responsive and collaborative research delivery.

You’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who combines substantial research governance and grants experience with sound judgement, strong stakeholder skills and a practical, collaborative approach. You’ll be comfortable staying across and interpreting complex requirements, providing timely advice and helping researchers and project teams navigate challenges while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance and delivery.

You’ll have:

• Graduate qualifications and relevant professional experience in public health, health policy or a related field.
• Significant experience in a research environment, ideally within  institutional research.
• Strong working knowledge of research governance, ethics submissions, grant applications, grant delivery and reporting requirements.
• A detailed understanding of relevant research codes, funding bodies and their strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex requirements and provide clear, timely and practical advice to researchers and project teams.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the judgement to identify, raise and help resolve risks to project delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, together with a track record of building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly developed organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to balance competing priorities and work effectively with minimal supervision.

Why you’ll love working here

At the Sax Institute, you’ll join a collaborative team that’s passionate about making a difference.

We offer:

• Meaningful work with national impact.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (with 40% of your time in the office).
• Generous salary packaging benefits.
• Opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace where collaboration and curiosity are valued.

Ready to apply?

Learn more about this opportunity through the position description.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience working in a research environment (preferably an institutional research office) to careers@saxinstitute.org.au, quoting Research Governance & Grants Manager in the subject line.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Elisa Tringali at Elisa.Tringali@saxinstitute.org.au.

Applications will be assessed as they are received and will close on 14 October 2026, unless a candidate is secured sooner.

The Sax Institute is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

• The Sax Institute is inviting experienced simulation modellers to be on a shortlist of candidates for casual employment and consultant contracts
• Make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians
• Competitive salary and consultancy rates

About the Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

The Institute has an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and nearly 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 50 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

The Sax Institute’s Decision Analytics team uses simulation modelling and other analytical methods to develop adaptable decision support tools. These tools are developed in partnership with government departments, policy agencies and program planners in health and social sectors, providing them with a low-risk virtual environment to test potential impacts of different decisions before they are implemented in the real world.

About the role

This role will provide a unique opportunity to build simulation models to solve real-world problems and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians. Examples include strategic investments to reduce suicide deaths, planning and resource allocation optimisation to improve the efficiency and outcomes of hospital systems, managing and planning for infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19, and studying the dynamic relationships between human activities and the physical and social environment.

They will have a primary responsibility in the technical development of high-standard dynamic simulation models, as part of a collaborative and supportive team with diverse expertise in public health policy and planning, participatory and consensus building approaches, and evidence synthesis. They are likely to be involved in participatory model-building workshops with policy makers, researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience. The role may also include contributing to model documentation and dissemination of findings, and driving methodological innovations.

About the talent pool

The talent pool will be comprised of a small number of experienced simulation modellers. Applicants will first be assessed by their CVs and cover letters. Those considered eligible will be contacted within 10 business days to arrange a brief interview. When an opportunity emerges we will contact the person in the talent pool with the most relevant experience to determine their current availability. The terms and conditions of the work will be agreed for each project.

 About you – Selection Criteria

Essential

• PhD qualification or equivalent professional experience in one or more dynamic simulation modelling methods, i.e. system dynamics, discrete event, or agent-based modelling
• A demonstrated track record of developing dynamic simulation models for research or real world applications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills
• A healthy drive for excellence
• Strong time management skills to deliver models in short time frames

Preferred

• Experience with Stella Architect or AnyLogic software
• Knowledge of public health and policy, social and environmental determinants of health, and government policy decision-making
• Experience in participatory modelling and co-design process
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Ability to communicate technical details to lay audience
• Proficient in statistical software applications (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS, R)
• Commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Australians

Further details

To apply please send your CV to decision.analytics@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Simulation modeller. A cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria is strongly encouraged.

Please contact Ani Goswami on ani.goswami@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close: ongoing

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.