We get it.

Just when life should be full of possibilities, cancer crashes into a young person’s world and shatters everything. Canteen is the game changer.

Canteen is a national support organisation for 12 - 25-year olds who cope with cancer in their family. Through Canteen, they learn to explore and deal with feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and if they have been diagnosed themselves, we also provide specialist, youth-specific treatment teams.

Working for Canteen is a chance to support young people rebuilding the foundations that crumbled beneath them when cancer turned their world upside down.

You can be the difference.

As the Research Officer (BALANCE), you will be responsible for providing assistance in the delivery of a National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership grant funded project called BALANCE. Specifically, you will work with the Research Manager and Senior Researchers to execute BALANCE – a co-designed online intervention to support adolescent and young adulthood cancer survivors transition from cancer to adulthood, and maximise their physical and psychosocial wellbeing.

You will be responsible for facilitating co-design workshops; developing program and policy procedures; working with media and communications experts to recruit participants; entering, coding and cleaning data; statistical analysis; and preparing conference presentations for the team. You will work on other projects from time to time. This role gives you the opportunity to have a job where you can work with purpose and contribute to the translation of research into practice.

This is a part-time 3 days per week, maximum term until 30 June 2026. Flexibility will be required to work the odd hours on weekends when workshops are being delivered.

Selection Criteria:

If you are self-motivated, enjoy a challenge and meet the following selection criteria, we look forward to hearing from you.

• Honours degree or 4th year equivalent (or equivalent additional experience) in psychology, social sciences, public health, health sciences, behavioural science or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years’ relevant research experience and/or relevant post-graduate qualification.
• Demonstrated project management experience, organisational skills and a track record in coordinating research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative and/or qualitative research.
• Knowledge of good clinical practice principles.
• Demonstrated experience in co-design and workshop facilitation.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to undertake literature reviews and maintain bibliographic databases.
• Ability to produce high quality written material such as journal articles and conference papers, and the ability to write in an easily understood style and format for a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data and present in a meaningful way using text, tables and graphics.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Understanding of the importance of translating research into practice
• Most importantly a passion and drive to work for Canteen and make a difference

Employment Details

Location: Sydney, NSW.

Job type: Maximum term 30 June 2026, part-time 22.5 hours per week.

We will be reviewing applications periodically during this recruitment period.

For specific queries or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Fiona McDonald (Research Manager) on 0401 594 216.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must be prepared if successful to undergo a National Police Check and Working with Children Check. As an Allied Health organisation, Canteen employees are required to have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. These requirements are essential to gain employment with Canteen and your vaccination status will be discussed as part of the recruitment and selection process.