Research Consultant

Location: Sydney 

Contract Type: Fixed Term 

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest independent law and consulting firms. With a heritage of almost 200 years, we are known for our excellence, and our authentic and enduring relationships with our clients, our people and our communities. Clients seek out MinterEllison to help them solve complex problems every day. We do this by our full-service legal offering and complementary consulting offering.

We offer opportunities to work on industry-leading mandates for top-tier clients, while being part of a high-performing and collaborative team that values excellence, diversity of thought, curiosity, and inclusion. We value our people and empower them to achieve their ambitions - with the support, trust and autonomy to grow their careers in meaningful ways.

We support sustainable ways of working regarding how, when and where you work and offer a wide range of social, financial and health benefits (see www.minterellison.com/-/media//Minter-Ellison/Files/Careers/MinterEllison-Employee-Benefits-2024.ashx)

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and versatile research consultant for a 12-month term, with a unique combination of legal and business research skills, technical expertise, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The ideal candidate will be comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zone, embracing fluidity in their role and curious - demonstrating a willingness to take on new challenges. This role is available in any of our offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The role sits within the broader Knowledge + Expertise team, with a focus on the fast paced Research and Systems teams. This is a fulfilling and varied role where you will be a valued member of the team. 

The ideal candidate will be able to: 

• Conduct comprehensive legal research on complex topics encompassing both federal and state court practice 

• Perform in-depth business and industry research to support both firm business initiatives and client development 

• Collaborate with legal and business development teams to interpret and meet research requests efficiently 

• Road test developing generative AI tools particularly in relation to enhancing research delivery 

• Provide professional written responses to both legal and business research enquiries, informed by analysing and evaluating the issues involved 

• Deliver training and support to individuals and groups, assisting lawyers and clients in developing effective and efficient research methodologies 

• Provide insights to develop and maintain both the small hard copy collection and the large suite of electronic resources 

• Maintain and process resources in our small hard copy collection and our large suite of electronic resources   

• Contribute to the development of activities that promote greater understanding and increased use of knowledge services, and foster a culture of continuous improvement 

• Promote the value proposition of Knowledge, identifying opportunities for integration with work performed in various lines of business 

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Excellent research skills across a multitude of legal and/or business databases 
• Excellent report writing skills with the ability to synthesize information from a variety of resources 
• Advanced skills with the Microsoft Office 365 suite of products
• A strong interest in the rapidly evolving world of generative AI
• Enthusiasm for emerging technologies, and a willingness to experiment and learn new skills
• A degree in Information Studies or related fields is highly desirable 
• Prior experience in a professional services environment or law firm is desirable but not essential

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Commitment to excellent client service in a collaborative environment
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a willingness to contribute actively to team goals
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible, with an ability to adapt and change
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work collaboratively across offices, countries, and time zones

How to apply

We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders (including trans or gender diverse), LGBTQ+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

We prefer to connect with people directly, so please submit your CV by clicking on the 'Apply' button. We encourage all applications, including if you do not meet all the criteria listed for the role. Your application will also enable us to consider you for other opportunities that may be available at MinterEllison.

If you are currently a MinterEllison employee, please apply through the internal careers page.

If you would like further information, require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or for a confidential discussion, please contact Miriam.Harner@minterellison.com.