Senior Research Assistant / Research Assistant

Company Description

PRECISE represents people from Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital, and other hospitals on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, that are passionate about innovation, research and education across the ‘Lifecycle’ of orthopaedic, cardiovascular and neuromusculoskeletal conditions. PRECISE embraces an active collaborative environment between researchers, engineers, designers, ICT, clinicians and health professionals, and organisational partnerships. PRECISE also has a large range of training and engagement activities, including promoting knowledge and skills exchange, and connecting through new disruptive technologies to engage with the world through innovative advancement in the management of orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

This position is a member of the

Job Description

As a Research Assistant or Senior Research Assistant, you’ll join the BioSpine team to develop, test and validate hardware and embedded systems used in neurorehabilitation research. Here’s how you’ll make it matter:

• You will join a team that is developing BioSpine technologies to support research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury.
• You will conduct and, at the Senior Research Assistant level, lead research involving wearable sensors, embedded systems and biosignal acquisition technologies.
• You will build verification and validation capability across the BioSpine programme, supporting the translation of research systems towards regulatory submission and clinical use.
• You will translate technical designs into tested systems that can be deployed in laboratory, clinical and home based research.
• You will collaborate with researchers, engineers, clinicians and industry partners to solve technical problems and support the delivery of the BioSpine research programme.

About you

The successful candidate will be appointed at the Research Assistant or Senior Research Assistant level based on their qualifications and experience. You will have experience working across hardware and software systems, with the ability to investigate technical problems, document your work and collaborate within a research team.

For appointment at the Research Assistant level, you will have:

• Experience integrating hardware into real-time systems, including mixed signal electronics or biosignal acquisition hardware, with skills in bench testing using oscilloscopes, logic analysers and multimeters.
• Embedded firmware development skills using C++ and ESP32, with experience in Python and communication interfaces such as SPI and I2C. Experience with BLE or ESP NOW would be beneficial.
• Software engineering and debugging skills, including automated unit and integration testing, version control using Git, and development using Windows or Linux environments.

For appointment at the Senior Research Assistant level, you will also have:

• Experience leading hardware and firmware verification and validation across individual sub-systems and hardware in the loop integration, including the preparation of supporting documentation.
• Skills in systems architecture, technical decision making and resolution of system issues, with the ability to guide or supervise research and technical staff.

This is a fixed-term position until 30 June 2028 based at Griffith University Gold Coast. The position may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis, with level depending on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. As Griffith is a multi-site university you may be required to work across other locations.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range

Research Assistant

The full-time equivalent base salary will be Research Assistant range $78,199 - $91,705 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $91,493 - $107,295 per annum.

Senior Research Assistant

The full-time equivalent base salary will be Research Assistant range $96,208 - $121,467 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $112,563 - $142,117 per annum.

Additional Information

Why join Griffith?

As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• 50% fee discount for work related post graduate Griffith degrees
• Scholarships to Griffith's flagship MBA program
• Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
• Opportunities for internal mobility
• Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

How to apply

At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the qualifications above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
• Please indicate in your covering letter whether you wish to be considered at the Research Assistant or Senior Research Assistant level, together with your preferred full time or part time employment arrangement.

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Kyle Mulholland, Project & Clinical Manager at [email protected].

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Lane Stachow, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected].

Closing date: Monday, 26 October 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.