- Fixed Term until 31/7/26 (possibility of an extension)
- Part time 0.6FTE
- Campus Independent
- Salary HEO7 starting from $103,171 plus 17% superannuation (pro-rata for part time)
About the position
The Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab, founded in 2020 in the School of Education, is helping schools to adopt well-established, scientific approaches to improve how they teach children to read. The dynamic collaboration between researchers, teachers, school leaders and allied health professionals aims to integrate evidence-based approaches into classroom practice to promote success in reading, writing, and spelling – and create uplift across all subject areas.
The SOLAR Lab is currently recruiting for a research assistant to be part of a research collaboration between Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) and the SOLAR Lab. This project investigates the impact of school-based coaching alongside online professional learning courses on early years’ teacher practice and student outcomes. Data collection for this project is now complete.
The research assistant with therefore be asked to undertake the following duties:
- Support the lead investigator and the wider project team to collate, analayse and contribute to the interpretation of research data.
- Attend, and where required, support meetings and committees associated with the project or as directed by the project team.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative analyses to data that has been collected.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation, online briefing documents, and media release statements.
- Contribute to literature reviews, including the completion of one to two systematic reviews.
- Implement procedures as required to achieve the project objectives and ensure compliance with local and external research guidelines/policies, confidentiality and data storage requirements.
This position requires an immediate start.
Skills and Experience
To be considered for this position, you will have:
- Completion or close to completion of a PhD, D.Ed. or Masters (Research) program in education, psychology, allied health or other relevant social science background.
- Experience in research and evaluation and the ability to work effectively under limited supervision and/or independently.
- Excellent written / verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience communicating with a large and varied audience across a range of formats. This includes the development of instructional, procedural or reporting materials.
- Demonstrated experience or proficiency in establishing, fostering and sustaining partnerships with stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in research methodologies such as qualitative and/or quantitative design.
- Demonstrated experience contributing to research publications, conference papers, reports or other technical materials that demonstrate potential for research.
- Demonstrated experience collecting, collating, cleaning and analysing data from a range of sources and stakeholders using analytical systems and tools.
- Demonstrated capacity to set and monitor priorities. This includes the ability to support and manage time critical activities with a range of different stakeholders across a suite of concurrent projects.
Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.
PD - Research Assistant - AERO .pdf
Benefits
- 17% employer contributed superannuation
- On site child care facilities
- Flexible work arrangements
- Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses
How to apply
Closing date: By 11:55pm on Sunday 15th February 2026
Position Enquiries: Tanya Serry, Professor Literacy and Reading
Email: T.Serry@latrobe.edu.au
Recruitment Enquiries: recruitment@latrobe.edu.au
Only candidates with Full Working Rights in Australia may apply for this position.
Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:
- Cover letter,
- An up-to-date resume and;
- A separate document addressing the following five Essential Criteria: (100w max per KSC)
- Completion or close to completion of a PhD, D.Ed. Masters (Research)
- A record of contribution to academic publications, conference papers and/or reports.
- High level organisational skills: the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, initiate and follow-up actions, all with minimal or no supervision.
- Demonstrated experience in research methodologies such as qualitative and/or quantitative design.
- Demonstrated experience collecting, collating, cleaning and analysing data from a range of sources and stakeholders using analytical systems and tools.
Please scroll down to apply.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.
All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005. If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.
Why La Trobe:
- Develop your career at an innovative, global university where you’ll collaborate with community and industry to create impact.
- Enjoy working on our inspiring and stunning campuses – the perfect hub for industry, students and academics
- Help transform the lives of students, partners and communities now and in the future
La Trobe’s Cultural Qualities:
La Trobe University is committed to upholding the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV Code). This aligns with our mission to create safe and respectful communities. Candidates will be asked during the recruitment process to declare whether they have ever been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, gender-based violence in previous employment and/or in legal proceedings and provide relevant information to assist in determining suitability. Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation liberty or autonomy.
