• Based in the College of Health at the SAHMRI Building located at the City West campus
• Full-time, two (2) year fixed term contract
• Bringing together the best and brightest to solve the challenges in reproductive, maternal, and child health

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive. 

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters 

The Lloyd Cox O&G Research Fund (LCRF) was established in 2010 through the amalgamation of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Research Fund and the Reproductive Health Research Fund. It supports research that improves women’s and reproductive health, conducted within the Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and the Discipline of Reproduction & Development (including the Robinson Research Institute) at Adelaide University.

Robinson Research Institute (RRI) addresses critical reproductive health challenges through world-leading research. Established in 2008, RRI’s mission is to advance human reproduction, improve pregnancy outcomes, and foster early childhood health.

Curious to learn more? Go to Robinson Research Institute

The team 

We are seeking a passionate and skilled researcher to join our team at the Nutrition, metabolic and reproductive health group within the Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide University, in a role that will contribute to a newly funded project investigating metabolic resilience in pregnancy. The position focuses on how maternal diet, lipid metabolism, and the gut microbiome interact to influence maternal metabolic health and pregnancy outcome. The successful candidate will work with collaborators on projects related to maternal nutrition, gestational diabetes, and reproductive health.

This role will involve implementing analytical approaches to integrate dietary, clinical, and multi-omics data and collaborating across disciplines to identify pathways underpinning metabolic dysfunction and recovery during and after pregnancy.

Applicants must possess strong skills in nutrition, statistical analysis of complex datasets (e.g., R or Stata), and metabolic health research and a demonstrated ability to publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals.

Visit the AU website to learn more about the School of Medicine. 

Our people  

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment and possess excellent organisational and communication skills. Candidates will be expected to take on leadership responsibilities, including supervising students, securing research funding, and driving participant recruitment and project coordination. Experience and knowledge in microbiome research is highly desirable.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU.

Experience 

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience: 

1. PhD qualification in nutrition, epidemiology, public health, biomedical science, or a related discipline.
2. Demonstrated experience in human research, including cohort studies, clinical trials, or observational studies, preferably in maternal or cardiometabolic health.
3. Demonstrated experience and strong knowledge in dietary assessment and/or nutritional epidemiology and metabolic health (e.g. insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, diabetes).
4. Proficiency in statistical analysis of complex datasets (e.g., R, Stata) including multivariable modelling.
5. A demonstrated track record of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications including first author publications.
6. Excellent verbal and written skills, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate across disciplines and collaborate with a wide range of professionals in the university and research sectors.
7. High level organisational skills, time management, including the ability to prioritise and manage workload and meet competing deadlines.
8. Experience in maintaining high levels of data management and security, as well as high quality record keeping ensuring the validity, reliability and reproducibility of data at all times.

Desired Characteristics Level B

• Experience or interest in microbiome research or willingness to develop expertise in this area.
• Experience in biospecimen collection and/or handling, including blood and/or stool samples, and analysis of metabolic biomarkers.
• Experience in pregnancy, reproductive health and/or women’s health research.
• Experience in working as part of large, dynamic multi-disciplinary teams and playing a leadership role to students.
• Demonstrated capacity to contribute to grant writing, project development, and research translation.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity 

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. 

Launch your future with Adelaide University now 

Applying is simple. Simply click on the Apply Now button and upload: 

• your current CV 
• a cover letter that tells us why you’re excited about the role 

The online application form will list the specific selection criteria that you need to address. 

Submit your application by 11:30pm Tuesday 16 June 2026

For further information about this opportunity, please contact: 

Emma Kelvin, Talent Attraction Adviser
 +61 8 8302 0482 | ***************@adelaide.edu.au  

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.  

Pursuant to the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (the Act) and the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations), this position has been deemed prescribed. This role will require the successful candidate to hold a current Working with Children Check.