• Work Type: Part-time (0.6 FTE), Fixed term 12 months contract (renewable)
• Salary: $77,171 to $104,717 per annum
• Superannuation rate: Employer contribution of 10.5%
• Salary sacrificing: As a health promotion charity up to $15,900 per FBT year
• Primary location (hybrid): Alan Gilbert Building, Barry St, Carlton with flexible WFH

About Phoenix Australia

Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Post-traumatic Mental health. For 25 years we have been a national and international leader in our field. We do not take the responsibility of being the national centre of excellence lightly.

We are at the forefront of the understanding, prevention and recovery from trauma. We have over 60 researchers, clinicians and specialists in psychology, psychiatry and social work, and have staff in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, allowing our reach to stretch to individuals, organisations and communities Australia wide.

We are a unique organisation, bridging the gap between research and research translation, and integrating our knowledge and skills into an end- to-end service for our clients. Our work encompasses four main Portfolios: Research, Policy and Practice, Workforce and Training and Development, and Clinical Services, with enabling services provided by Corporate Services.

Our program of internationally acclaimed research aims to advance the knowledge of post-traumatic mental health. Through the application of diverse research methodologies, we aim to create real-world solutions and translate research findings into practical implications for governments, organisations, and communities.

Our Policy and Practice portfolio encompasses policy and service development to establish the standards of best practice for the management of trauma. We translate research into best practice policies and procedures for organisations, and work with organisations to build their capacity to minimise the impact of workplace trauma.

Our evidence-based workforce education and training programs improve the practice of those working with people, organisations, and communities affected by trauma. We provide tailored and integrated training, supervision, and consultation services that meet the specific needs of a diverse range of clients, large or small.

Phoenix Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. With an affiliation with the University of Melbourne, we have a close working relationship with the Department of Psychiatry within the Melbourne Medical School. Our Board of Directors includes independent members as well as senior representatives from the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence.

For further information, please visit Phoenix Australia’s website.

The Opportunity

This role will sit within the Interventions Research Stream at Phoenix Australia and have a strong focus on people who are exposed to trauma through their lives or through their work such as military personnel, or emergency services workers. The incumbent will have a background in mental health and strong research management and coordination skills, including a track record of research experience in clinical trial coordination, or clinical mental health or trauma research. Project management experience is also highly regarded.

The Senior Research Assistant will be responsible for working on a number of research projects with activities including clinical trial or project coordination, ethics applications, recruitment and data collection, tracking/monitoring data, clinical and structured assessments, and manuscript or report writing. High level research coordination skills are essential for this position.

The successful applicant will be expected to work across a number of clinical trials in the treatment of post-traumatic mental health conditions, supporting clinical trial and clinical research teams with activities specific to each project.

The position will be based at Phoenix Australia-Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health, which is affiliated with the Psychiatry Department at the University of Melbourne.

The position will report to the Interventions Stream Lead and Head of Research at Phoenix Australia, although line management for day-to-day tasks will be delegated.

Responsibilities

Research and Research Training:

• Effectively manage the running of clinical trials including randomised controlled trials and other clinical or mental health research projects
• Effectively manage projects and project teams, including project administration, budgeting, reporting, staff allocation and project reporting processes
• Work within a team of researchers and clinicians providing support to clinical trials and treating teams, including contributing to the governance of the Phoenix Australia Research Clinic
• Support the recruitment of trial participants through screening and/or assessing potential participants over the telephone/videoconferencing which may include the administration of semi-structured or structured clinical interviews if required
• Liaise with trial participants and clients, referrers, as well as internal and external stakeholders
• Develop and maintain project/trial databases in Excel and SPSS programs, and REDCap
• With guidance from Phoenix Australia statistical consultants and senior research staff, conduct basic descriptive and univariate statistical data analysis (e.g. t-test, ANOVA)
• Contribute to writing of ethics applications, study protocols, academic and/or technical reports, manuscripts and publications
• Contribute to the translation of research findings through the preparation of presentations to various audiences including lay audiences and scientific audiences.

Knowledge Transfer:

• Under direction from senior staff, contribute to the design, development and delivery of knowledge transfer initiatives and projects
• Assist with the preparation of conference papers at invited forums
• Liaise regularly with key stakeholders about information that relates to their projects.

Leadership and Service:

• Perform Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) responsibilities
• Undertake other tasks or projects as required by project leads, or Head of Phoenix Australia
• Attend and actively participate in Phoenix Australia's meetings and/or committees.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree with first class Honours in psychology or related mental health field
• Experience in clinical trials coordination including randomised controlled trials, or research/project management of clinical research projects in mental health or related field
• Experience in managing clinical research activities involving writing ethics applications, recruiting participants, screening, clinical and/or structured assessments, data collection, data management, and report writing
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as work in close cooperation with other members of a research and/or clinical team and maintaining good working relationships with staff
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to plan, work to deadlines and set priorities
• Demonstrated competence with working with Microsoft suite of products (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access) and data platforms such as REDCap
• Proven ability to adhere to research and/or clinical governance including privacy requirements of the role and principles of good clinical practice (GCP)

Desirable:

• Post graduate qualifications (Masters or PhD)
• Knowledge of the research or clinical literature in relation to post-traumatic mental health
• Knowledge of trauma related mental health issues, or knowledge of trauma exposed populations including, veterans, emergency services workers, or complex trauma survivors
• Clinical experience in working with clients with mental health disorders or post-traumatic mental health issues using evidence-based approaches