EOI open now, closing Monday 6 May 2024.
We are seeking to appoint a new member to our Scientific Research Advisory Committee (SRAC). This ten-member committee meets four times per year to review and approve grant applications and advises our Board on matters associated with scientific and medical research policy, strategy and processes. All committee members are endorsed by the NHMRC.
Expressions of Interest are invited from suitably qualified candidates.
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation – Purpose and Background
The Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation (the Foundation) is an independent entity, raising funds for local health and medical research in Tasmania. Since establishment in 1997, the Foundation has invested more than $10M in research funding, focused particularly on diseases and conditions relevant to the Tasmanian community. A detailed list of funded studies undertaken since inception is available here.
Applications for grant funding are reviewed by the Foundation’s Scientific Research Advisory Committee (SRAC), whose members are endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
While merit is the fundamental principle applied to selection of successful applications, the Foundation also aims to support a range of disciplines and pursues an objective of building research capacity in Tasmania. These objectives are summarised in the Foundation’s statement of Strategic Research Principles:
- Research applications should demonstrate the potential for benefit to the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, with a focus on those diseases and conditions relevant to the Tasmanian community.
- Research applications should demonstrate building of local clinical research capacity at the RHH.
- Research applications should enable research collaboration across disciplines and amongst researchers at various stages of their career path, particularly through alignment/partnership with other research experts/groups/centres/commercial bodies.
- Research applications should demonstrate the potential for tangible and measurable benefits arising from proposed work, including one or more of the following:
- publication(s) in peer reviewed journals
- a competitive research grant application to an external funding body
- a health service delivery outcome (eg. translation into clinical practice improvement) or a demonstrated major impact on policy development
- development of a collaboration/partnership with an external research group or industry
- a patent application.
The current priority areas for research are:
- Aged care (including diseases of the elderly)
- Chronic disease (including cancer)
- Health Service Delivery and Outcomes (including acute care)
- A healthy start to life (including maternal and child health)
- Social determinants of health (including mental health).
The Scientific Research Advisory Committee
Purpose:
- To receive, assess and approve applications to the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation for research funding in accordance with a pre-determined annual budget;
- To provide advice and recommendations to the Foundation’s Board for approval on matters associated with scientific and medical research policy, strategy and processes; and
- To receive and review reports and assess progress of current grants.
Composition, terms and meetings:
- The Committee consists of 10 members, with a balanced mix of research skills and disciplines, that reflect the Foundation’s strategic research principles and priorities
- All members are approved by the NHMRC as the Australian Government’s regulatory authority
- Members are appointed for a three year term
- The Committee meets four times a year, currently on Tuesdays 8.30am-10.30am. The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2025 is 14 May, 17 Sep and 26 Nov. From time to time agenda items may need to be addressed out of session. Members are expected to attend at least 75% of meetings during their tenure. Attendance via Teams/Zoom can be arranged when necessary.
- The Chairperson is appointed by the Board for a period of three years with re-appointment at the Board’s discretion; the SRAC Chair also sits on the Foundation’s Board.
Current Membership:
- Associate Professor Rosemary Harrup, Director, Cancer and Blood Services RHH (Chair)
- Professor John Burgess, Director, Endocrinology Laboratory and consultant endocrinologist, RHH; Professor of Endocrinology, UTAS
- Professor Peter Dargaville, Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, RHH
- Dr Kim Jose, Senior Research Fellow, Preventative and Primary Health Care, Menzies
- Professor Jo Dickinson, Select Foundation Fellow, Cancer Research, Menzies
- Dr Martin Schultz, Principal Research Fellow, Cardiology, Menzies
- Dr Eric Moses, Professorial Research Fellow in Cancer Research, Menzies
- Dr Melanie Greenwood, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, UTAS
- Professor Graeme Zosky, Associate Dean Research Performance, College of Health and Medicine, UTAS
The Opportunity
The Foundation is seeking to appoint one new member to the SRAC to replace a member who is concluding their current term. Candidates should have an understanding of contemporary health and medical research, be good communicators and work well as part of a team.
A track record of significant research output and expertise relevant to the Committee is a desirable pre-requisite and ideally the new member will bring skills that are complementary to those of other members.
On this occasion, we have a particular interest in gaining expressions of interest from candidates who can demonstrate a strong research background in data linkage and associated skills.
Making an Expression of Interest
Complete the Expression of Interest form and attach your CV.
Please note you will be required to create a log-in for our online platform in order to submit your EOI.
Submissions must be made no later than Monday 6 May 2024.
Expressions of Interest received will be considered by the SRAC, for subsequent recommendation to the Board.
More information
If you require more information or have any queries with the online application process, please contact Julie Turnbull, Research Support & Administration Coordinator on 6166 1320 or via email to julie.turnbull1@ths.tas.gov.au.
Please note Julie is available Tuesday to Thursday.
