Research Officer

Alternate Titles

Title may sometimes be used interchangeably with postdoctoral researcher

General role description

Research Officers carry out research as part of a broader scientific team. They design and conduct experiments, analyse data, and contribute to scientific publications and grant applications.

While many Research Officer roles are held by researchers who have completed a PhD, commonly referred to as postdoctoral researchers or ‘postdocs’, the title ‘Research Officer’ can also apply to early- or mid-career researchers with different qualifications, depending on the institution and research setting.

Research Officers are expected to work both independently and collaboratively to deliver high-quality research outcomes.

Key responsibilities

  • Conduct research in line with project goals
  • Perform data analysis and contribute to interpretation of research findings
  • Maintain accurate records of experimental or analytical procedures
  • Contribute to writing scientific papers, reports, and grant applications
  • Present findings to research teams and at academic meetings
  • Ensure research activities comply with ethical and institutional guidelines
  • Collaborate with internal and external researchers and stakeholders.

Workplace settings

  • Universities and Medical Research Institutes
  • Healthcare setting
  • Government and not-for-profit research bodies

Required qualifications

  • A PhD in health sciences, biomedical sciences, medicine, bioinformatics, public health, or a related field.
  • In some cases, a Master’s degree or Honours degree may be acceptable, particularly with relevant research experience.

Other notable requirements

Research Officer roles often require:

  • Strong skills in independent and collaborative research
  • Experience with data analysis and statistical software
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage time effectively and work across multiple projects
  • Understanding of ethical and regulatory research requirements.

Common entry points

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