Research assistant

• Full-time, 20-month fixed term opportunity

• Research Assistant within the Matilda Centre located in Camperdown campus

• Base Salary $83,384 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use provides a world-first synergy of leading prevention, early intervention, treatment research and translation programs in substance use and mental disorders. The Matilda Centre brings together researchers currently working across disorder silos (substance use, depression, suicide, anxiety, exercise physiology, dietetics, chronic disease) to share skills, synergise data, and harness new technologies to develop and trial innovative prevention and early intervention programs for substance use and mental disorders. The Centre is further developing its capacity to disseminate, translate and implement best-practice evidence for the alcohol and other drug and mental health workforces. Associate Professor Christina Marel is Program Lead of Treatment and Translation in Complex Populations at the Matilda Centre and is currently growing her team of researchers to develop a program that will continue to build workforce capacity.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant to join The Matilda Centre and contribute to our growing program of work focusing on building the capacity of the mental health workforce to respond to alcohol and other drugs. The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, and the role will involve assisting with the conduct of rigorous reviews of the literature, national consultations with key stakeholders and producing content summaries. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to critical analysis and synthesis of relevant literature that will inform clinical guidelines for the mental health workforce in relation to working with people who use alcohol and other drugs. They will work directly with a team of junior and senior researchers.

A cover letter addressing the ‘About you’ selection criteria is required for consideration for this position. 

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Undertake systematic and comprehensive reviews of academic and grey literature, synthesising complex findings with a critical eye

• develop and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external project stakeholders, while ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged

• assist with the conduct of national consultations with stakeholders to inform development of project resources, collate and synthesise feedback

• maintain accurate research records and databases for the project, and provide administrative support as required

• collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams to assist with comprehensive and accurate project plans that ensure consistency and alignment with project objectives

• undertake other duties and projects appropriate within the classification level as required

About you

• Honours qualifications in psychology, public health, or behavioural or social sciences and/or a related field, or equivalent work experience

• demonstrated experience in literature searching, critical appraisal, synthesising evidence and generating conclusions

• ability to research, evaluate, and summarise relevant information from various sources

• experience in carrying out literary searches, and preparing literary reviews for further analysis

• experience in report writing and preferably for publications in peer-reviewed journals

• excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with sound negotiating and conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated level of tact and discretion in dealing with day-to-day operational matters

• ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving matters that may arise as part of normal daily work

• strong problem-solving skills and the ability to use initiative and exercise sound judgement and ability to prioritise workload during busy periods.

• outstanding interpersonal skills, and proven ability to liaise with key stakeholders.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations, by email to [email protected]

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Thursday 04 April 2024 11:59 PM