How we select our people

We advertise all employment opportunities on eRecruit, our online recruitment system, and on APSJobs.

How to apply

Applying for a job with us is simple. Submit your application online for the job you are interested in through our current vacancies page.

You will usually need to provide:

• a written response
• your resume
• details for at least 2 referees.

The job description will advise the maximum length for the written response, such as 2 pages or a word limit.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment

NHMRC supports fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment processes.

Candidates may use AI tools to support parts of an application or to prepare for assessment, unless we tell you otherwise. This may include using AI tools to help refine drafting, improve grammar, organise ideas or prepare for interviews.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is accurate and a genuine reflection of your own skills, experience and capabilities. AI should support your application, not replace your own experience, judgment or authorship. You must be able to explain and discuss anything included in your application or during the assessment.

Applicants should not use AI to:

• generate misleading, false or exaggerated claims
• produce responses that do not reflect your own experience or capability
• complete assessment tasks where authentic unaided responses are required
• enter sensitive, confidential or classified information into public AI tools.

We may ask applicants to explain whether and how AI tools were used during the recruitment process, particularly where AI capability is relevant to the role or where this is needed to support a fair and informed assessment. We will tell applicants if NHMRC has used AI in the recruitment process.

For further guidance, refer to the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

What to include in your resume

Your resume is often the first impression we have you. As a minimum, you should include:

• Personal details – your name, email address and phone numbers.
• Education – education and qualifications that relate to the job you are applying for.
• Work experience – relevant work experience and outline the main responsibilities and achievements that relate to the job you are applying for. Organise your employment history in chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates of employment. Make sure to explain any gaps in time.
• Other experience – if relevant, briefly mention any extra-curricular activities, interests or volunteer/community work that you participated in and highlight what you gained from that experience.
• Referees – include the name and contact details of 2 professional referees (at least one should be your current manager/supervisor) who can validate and support your application.
• Layout – the standard resume length is between 2 to 6 pages. Use an easy-to-read font and a simple, consistent format. Use bullet points to break up text. Place key information on the front page where it can be noticed. Highlight important facts and ensure that you can back them up with examples if asked at the interview.

What to include in your written response

Your written response is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. Tell us:

• why you want to work at NHMRC
• why you are interested in the role
• what you can offer us
• how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications relate to the role. In a nutshell – why should we hire you?

Try not to duplicate information from your resume. Instead, highlight any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

Assessing your application

We assess your application to see whether you have, or could develop, the skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications needed for the role. These requirements are based on the information provided in the job advertisement.

If your application is shortlisted, you may need to undertake further assessment on your ability to perform the role.

Assessment

We use different methods to assess and validate key knowledge areas, critical skills, motivation and suitability for the role. This may include:

• written applications (including your resume)
• phone, face to face, video conference interviews – structured or informal
• group assessment centres
• work sample testing, such as work simulations and technical aptitude testing
• referee reports – either verbal or written.

Referees

We may contact your referees at any stage of the assessment process to check claims in your application and at the interview.

It is important that you advise your referees that you have applied for a role at NHMRC, and that you feel confident they will be able to support your application.

Selection

We make all selection decisions based on merit. This means that:

• the assessment process is fair and consistent
• assessment is based on job specific requirements, that are genuinely required for someone to perform the role
• based on the assessment, the best person for the job is selected.

If you are selected as the successful applicant, congratulations! We will contact you to discuss your classification, salary, conditions of engagement and start date, and ask you to complete any relevant new starter paperwork.

If you are not selected, you can ask for feedback to help improve future applications.

In some cases, we may tell you that you have been placed on a merit pool. This means that you may be considered for similar roles at NHMRC as they become available over the next 18 months.

Our responsibilities

NHMRC uses a streamlined recruitment and selection process which aims to fill a vacancy in the quickest practical time.

You must submit you application before the closing date and time. Selection committees are not obliged to accept late applications. Once you successfully submit your application through the online system, you will receive a confirmation email.

We will notify all applicants in writing about their progress in the selection process. If you are selected for an interview, we aim to provide you with at least 2 days’ notice.

If you experience technical difficulties, please email our Recruitment Team at recruitment@nhmrc.gov.au.

NHMRC welcomes applications from people of all abilities and from diverse communities.

If you need an interpreter, or have other accessibility requirements, please email recruitment@nhmrc.gov.au with your request.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service (NRS) to make a call. You can visit the Access Hub website or call 1300 555 727 for more information.