Research Officer

Black Dog Institute; Randwick City Council; Hybrid; AUD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work (1-2 days in office)

Salary packaging

Wellbeing leave

Gym membership

Job summary

Black Dog Institute is seeking a Research Officer to support WAMH research on workplace mental health and first responders through NEWSS. You will coordinate studies, assist with literature reviews, ethics submissions, and data management, contributing to high-impact outputs.

You will work with lived experience experts, clinicians, and stakeholders to refine interventions and advance real-world impact, with flexible hybrid arrangements and a focus on wellbeing and research excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with Honours in psychology, public health or related discipline.
• 3+ years’ experience in health research, including literature reviews, ethics applications, participant recruitment, study design and manuscripts.
• Experience with qualitative research methods, intervention design, or co-design.
• Proficient in data analysis and interpretation using statistical software.
• Strong communication and stakeholder liaison skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide research support in developing interview, consultation, and co-design workshop protocols.
• Undertake literature searches and reviews, including systematic reviews.
• Prepare ethics applications and reports, and manage research data per the project plan.
• Refine intervention content with lived experience experts and clinicians.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses and provide implementation recommendations.
• Assist in recruitment and data collection via interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
• Contribute to publishing and presenting results in diverse outputs.
• Adhere to policy requirements and complete mandatory training.
• Perform general research and administrative duties for NEWSS and WAMH projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Research coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree with Honours in psychology/public health

Tools

SPSS

STATA

NVivo

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Introduction

• $75,000 - $90,000 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses)
• 1 FTE
• Contract until 30/06/2027

Description

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 & 9-day fortnights
• Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2,650.00 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

Skills and Experiences

The Role

The appointed Research Officer would provide research support to the Work and Adult Mental Health (WAMH) Research Team within Black Dog Institute. The WAMH 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 WAMH team has a particular interest in high-risk occupational populations including first responder groups, medical practitioners, the unemployed, and others. We are recruiting for a Research Officer to support on research into a variety of studies into the mental health of first responders being conducted through the National Emergency Worker Support Service (NEWSS). Primarily, the appointed Research Officer would provide high level coordination and research support focusing on the development of a novel intervention for first responders retiring or transitioning out of service.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research

• Provide a significant level of research support in developing interview, consultation, and co-design workshop protocols.
• Undertake literature searches and reviews, including assisting in conducting systematic reviews.
• Prepare and maintain ethics applications and reports, and assist in collection and storage of research data in adherence to the project’s data management plan.
• Contribute to the refinement of intervention content, in close collaboration with lived experience experts, clinicians, and other stakeholders.
• Undertake quantitative and qualitative analyses and interpretation, providing recommendations and advice regarding the implementation of the program.
• Assist in the recruitment of research participants and data collection, using various types of interview, focus group, and survey methodologies.
• Contribute to the publishing and presentation of study results in a range of academic and non-academic outputs.
• Adhering to BDI research and governance policies, including the completion of mandatory training.
• Complete other duties related to research, as required by the supervisor.
• Perform other general research and administrative tasks associated with the specific NEWSS and broader WAMH projects

Project Support

• Complete all administrative and clerical duties, including attendance at research meetings, preparing meeting agendas, preparing and distributing minutes, as required.
• Work collaboratively and liaise with the wider WAMH Team, in addition to other research and non-research BDI teams (such as BDI IT and Marketing and Communications teams).
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders to ensure the research has successful outcomes.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of grant applications and written reports to funding agencies, as required.
• Maintain meticulous records whilst adhering to strict confidentiality.

Work, Health and Safety

• 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 or delegate and the reporting tool Rely.
• Work in a safe manner, applying a duty of care

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

• Bachelor's Degree with Honours (or above) in psychology, public health or a related discipline.
• 3+ years’ experience in health research, including conducting literature reviews, preparation of ethics applications, participant recruitment, study design and implementation, and preparation of manuscripts, reports and/or other publications.
• 6+ months of the above experience is related to mental health.
• Experience with qualitative research methods, intervention research, intervention design, or co-design.
• Previous experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting research data, including the use of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, or NVivo).
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with strong ability to professionally liaise and build collaborative relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders including senior staff and consumers with lived experience.
• Strong organisational and time management skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively both within a team and with minimal supervision.
• Strong computing skills with Microsoft Office programs, e.g., Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of EEO principles and WH&S responsibilities and commitment to completing relevant WH&S training.

Desirable Criteria

• Research experience in workplace mental health.
• Experience conducting focus groups, interviews, or co-design workshops.
• Experience on projects developing or adapting interventions.
• Experience evaluating health interventions or conducting clinical trial research.
• Prior contributions to academic publications.
• Experience conducting systematic reviews.

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 [e-mail] or phone [phone]

Privacy

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

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.