Research Assistant (Workplace Mental Health)

About the Institute
Located on Gadigal and Bidjigal land (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 & 9-day fortnights
• 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
• Pet friendly workplace

• Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave 

• Employee discounts 

The Role

The appointed Research Assistant would provide research support to the Workplace Mental Health (WPMH) Research Team within the Black Dog Institute. The WPMH Research team run Australia's largest research program focused on Mental Health in the workplace and is led by Prof Samuel Harvey. We have expertise in e-Mental Health and in undertaking large scale 'real-world' trials. The Team has an international reputation for their research work and over the last 6 years have gained more than $18million in research funding. The WPMH team has a particular interest in high-risk occupational populations including first responder groups, medical practitioners, the unemployed, and others. The Research Assistant will support a series of studies being conducted through the National Emergency Worker Support Service (NEWSS). These studies will use several different data sources to monitor the trends in Mental Health outcomes amongst Australia’s emergency service professionals, volunteers, and retirees; and examine gaps in, and priorities for, current Mental Health service offerings for this population. They will also provide support to the NEWSS project team across other elements of the service.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research

• Undertake literature searches and reviews, including assisting in conducting systematic reviews

• Prepare and edit research and project reports, manuscripts and presentations

• Data entry, coding, and analysis of quantitative, and potentially qualitative data.

• Assist in collating, analysing and writing up data from across various service components

• Assist with ethics applications/amendments, responding to queries from research ethics boards, maintaining and archiving a study Master File for essential documents such as ethics and study documents

• Assist with aspects of participant recruitment and data collection, in accordance with study protocols

• Perform other general research and administrative tasks associated with NEWSS-related projects

• Adhering to BDI research and governance policies, including the completion of mandatory training.

• Contribute to research design, preparation of research protocols

Project Support

• Develop relationships and regularly liaise with stakeholders to coordinate study progress, identify issues that arise, and ensure adherence to the study protocol.

• Maintain the collection and storage or research data in adherence with the projects’ data management plan.

• Provide research support to WPMH teams alignment to broader Institute’s strategic plan

• Maintain sensitivity to clinical issues.

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

1. Bachelor's Degree with Honours (or above) in psychology, public health or a related discipline.

2. 1-3 years demonstrated experience in undertaking health research, including participant recruitment, preparation of ethics applications, conducting literature reviews, and designing and implementing quantitative and/or qualitative research projects.

3. Previous experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting research data including use of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, SAS or NVivo).

4. Well-developed written skills with demonstrated experience in writing research reports and/or publications.

5. Strong oral and written communication skills. 6. Excellent interpersonal skills, with strong ability to professionally liaise and build collaborative relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders

7. Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment

8. An ability to work both in a team and independently, with a high level of flexibility and initiative with minimal supervision

9. Strong organisational skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively both within a team and with minimal supervision

10. Strong computing skills with Microsoft Office.

11. Knowledge of EEO principles and WH&S responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant WH&S training.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience in the design, development and evaluation of Mental Health interventions and/or online programs.

2. Experience conducting systematic reviews.

3. Experience in a Mental Health research setting.

4. Experience in workplace-related research

5. Experience conducting focus groups or research interviews.

6. Experience delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.

7. Experience writing academic papers for publication.

We value applied lived experience in the work we do. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply

EOO Statement
Black Dog Institute is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects our wider community. We ensure equal opportunity for all, regardless of age, culture, appearance, sexual orientation, lived experience, gender identity, disability and/or family status.

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. f 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.  We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.