Research Assistant

• $65,000 - $78,000 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses)
• 1 FTE, 3-month contract
• The Institute may close this advertisement early if high application volumes are received, we encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible.

About the Institute
Located on the lands of the Bidiagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation (Randwick, NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.  Emphasising a devoted focus to into suicide prevention, digital mental health, a workplace mental health, we undertake a unique ‘translational’ research approach that allows us to turn our world-class findings into new treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e-health products. We join the dots by connecting research answers, expert knowledge, and the voices of lived experience to deliver solutions that impact and boost the health care system for patients and practitioners alike. Our work is used to drive evidence informed change across the rapidly expanding mental health sector and sets the foundations for a brighter and healthier future for all.

Benefits

• Hybrid work, 1-2 days per week in office (choose your days, consistent team collaboration days where possible)
• 35 hour work week, flexible hours agreements
• Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2650.00 meal & entertainment
• Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work
• We in the Innovate stage of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), actively embedding reconciliation into our workplace culture.
• Pet friendly workplace
• Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave 
• Employee discounts and gym membership benefits

The Role

A Research Assistant plays a key role in supporting research projects as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the area of Trauma, Work, and Adult Mental Health within the Black Dog Institute. This Research Assistant position will provide technical and research assistance to the Senior Research Fellow in activities associated with various research projects, including contribution and application of knowledge in the field of workplace mental health and population-level mental health and well being.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research Activities

• Undertake literature searches and reviews. 
• Prepare and edit research and project reports, manuscripts (including systematic reviews), presentations and funding applications. 
• Maintain the collection and storage of research data in adherence to the project's research data management plan, including coordinating and executing data entry, coding, cleaning, data management processes and ensuring research integrity in research databases. 
• Performing quantitative/qualitative data analyses as required by the research project. 
• Develop relationships and regularly liaise with stakeholders to coordinate study progress, identify issues that arise, and ensure adherence to the study protocols. 
• Maintain sensitivity to clinical issues. 
• Assisting with ethics applications/amendments, responding to queries from research ethics boards, maintaining the study master file and archiving of ethics forms and study documents. 
• Assist with aspects of participant recruitment and follow-up, in accordance with study protocols. 
• Compile and build quantitative surveys within approved software packages 
• Monitor research protocols, identify and report any evolving problems to the supervisor. 
• Perform other general research and administrative tasks associated with the specific projects including contributing to research design, preparation of research protocols, product testing of e-Mental Health programs and working collaboratively with IT and User Experience Teams as necessary. 
• Adhere to all research ethics and governance codes and regulations. 
• Coordinate, plan and complete day-to-day research activities within the framework of agreed project timelines and responsibilities. 

Work Health and Safety 

• Cooperate with all health and safety policy and procedures of the Institute and take all responsible care to ensure your actions or omissions do not impact the health and safety of yourself and others. 
• Undertake mandatory training, including Good Clinical Practice and UNSW Research Integrity training 
• Ensure self and all staff comply with all WHS legislation WHS Policy and Procedures. 
• Report any WHS hazards and significant issues to Director, People & Culture delegate and the reporting tool Rely. 

Note: the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the Institute may change or request additional activities to meet the operational needs of the business

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria 

1. Bachelor's Degree with Honours (or above) in psychology or related discipline, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training, or experience. 
2. One to three years’ health research experience which includes participant recruitment, preparation of ethics applications, conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and/or designing and implementing quantitative and/or qualitative research projects 
3. Experience writing academic papers for publication. 
4. Previous experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting research data including use of statistical software (e.g. SPSS, STATA, SAS, NVivo, R, and/or CMA) 
5. Knowledge of a variety of research protocols, study design and planning as involved in developing research projects, timelines and reporting against milestones 
6. Experience in the development of ethical applications and other research governance documents 
7. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands 
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders 
9. Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills to initiate and maintain effective stakeholder relationships whilst exercising discretion and confidentiality 
10. Good time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgment and initiative 
11. An understanding of and commitment to BDI’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines 
12. Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training 

Desirable criteria 

1. Experience in a mental health research setting 
2. Experience in research related to workplaces, and/or men’s mental health or suicide prevention 

Inclusion at BDI  

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience where all candidates can fully participate in the process.

We warmly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, culturally and racially diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others from underrepresented backgrounds.

We recognise that not everyone has had equal access to opportunities, and valuable skills and perspectives can be gained through diverse life experiences.

If this role excites you but you don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply as your lived experience and insights are important to us.

Accessibility

If you have accessibility requirements or require information in an alternative format, please email workplaceadjustments@blackdog.org.au or phone 02 9382 4530 

Privacy

We respect your privacy and confidentiality. We only provide information to other staff where it is needed to arrange workplace adjustments.

How to Apply
To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, follow the link to our careers site on ELMO and submit your most up to date resume and a detailed cover letter addressing the selection criteria for the role. If you are shortlisted for the role, we will call you and let you know you are successful. Please do not respond to any suspicious emails requesting you to upload your ID or personal details. 

Commencement of employment with the Institute is subject to the completion of relevant pre-employment checks, include reference checks, a National Criminal History Check, and other role-specific requirements.
These checks are conducted in line with the Institute’s commitment to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all employees, and check outcomes are reviewed and applied fairly and in accordance with the inherent requirements of the role