Research Officer, Youth Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention

The Role

A Research Officer plays a key role in supporting research projects as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the area of youth suicide prevention. The primary duty of this position is to provide a high level of coordination and support for a new school-based research trial at Black Dog Institute. This project is a multi-year study aiming to test whether a school-based universal prevention program can prevent the onset of self-harm in children and adolescents. The trial will involve thousands of children and adolescents across New South Wales schools (public and Independent) and will occur in partnership with the NSW Department of Education.

The Research Officer will primarily be responsible for supporting co-design activities to develop the intervention, facilitating school and student participation in the study by coordinating school visits, and travelling within Sydney and regional NSW to deliver the research program and surveys to participating primary and secondary schools. This role requires a valid NSW working with children check (or the ability to get one); excellent project management and communication skills; the ability to on-board schools onto the research project; experience in attending schools and facilitating research visits; confidence with presenting to schools as part of recruitment and knowledge transfer activities; and the ability to work well as part of a team. The role reports to the Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Project Manager) and has no direct reports. The successful candidate will work closely with other research support staff who will share in the responsibility for the coordination and daily operations of this research project.

Duties & Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Support 

• Travel within the Sydney area and to regional areas across NSW to visit participating schools as the project requires (for co-design workshop, school recruitment, data collection, etc)
• Oversee the scheduling of school visits including confirming bookings with schools, onboarding new school staff, and maintaining meticulous documentation
• Assisting with presenting study findings to school students and school staff participating in the study.
• Aid the project by attending regular team meetings, preparing meeting agendas, ensuring appropriate record/minute keeping, working collaboratively alongside other staff, and undertaking any other relevant administrative and clerical duties, including attendance at Institute-wide research meetings.

Research 

• Support data collection activities, including co-design workshops related to intervention development and organising the administration of study questionnaires in schools during the trial.
• Support the development of intervention and implementation materials, training, and other resources that will be delivered in schools.
• Support the preparation of ethics applications, including to university, independent school, and catholic school ethics committees.
• Assist with data cleaning, data management processes, data analysis (under supervision from the project manager and trial analyst/s) and ensure adherence to the project’s research data management plan.
• Contribute to writing up and publishing the milestones and results of the study in a range of ways, including research reports, peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and funding progress reports

Stakeholder Communication

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders (including the project team, Investigators) and external stakeholders (school staff, sector body representatives) to ensure the project’s success.

Planning and Reporting 

• Maintain meticulous records in line with the project protocol/s whilst adhering to strict confidentiality
•  Provide accurate and timely reports on research data as requested and contribute to the dissemination of results.

Selection Criteria

• An honours degree or above in Psychology, Public Health, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• A minimum of 1 years’ demonstrable research experience at a university, research centre, or similar organisation, which includes experience in participant recruitment and data collection, ethics applications, and preparation of reports and/or other publications.
• Strong written and oral interpersonal skills, and evidence of the ability to consult and liaise with stakeholders to build collaborative relationships.
• Strong project management skills, including evidence of ability to use tools and processes to manage tasks and timelines.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, to prioritise & meet deadlines, and see projects through to completion.
•  A valid working with NSW Children Check or the eligibility to obtain one upon employment offer.
• A current and valid Australian driver’s license
• A knowledge of EEO principles and OH&S responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant OH&S training.

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience working with schools and/or young people.
• Experience working on clinical or public health trials
• Experience or training in clinical or counselling psychology to assist with risk management and school counsellor follow-up.
• Prior written contribution to the academic literature.
• Ownership of, or access to, a car.

EEO Statement
Black Dog Institute is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our wider community. We ensure equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, appearance, carer status, cultural and/or racial background, disability, gender identity, lived experience, religion or sexual orientation. 

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.