About the opportunity

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use provides a world-first synergy of leading prevention, early intervention and treatment research and translation programs in substance use and mental disorders. The Matilda Centre brings together researchers in broad fields to share skills, integrate data, and harness new technologies to develop and trial innovative prevention, early intervention and treatment programs for substance use and mental disorders.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Level A) to join our research team and explore the most effective ways to improve anxiety and risky drinking among youth. In this role you will coordinate research activities and a randomised controlled trial, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, for an internet-delivered early intervention (the ‘Inroads’ program) for co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use among young people. You will work collaboratively with the Inroads project team, supervise junior research staff, and aid the Chief Investigator and Senior Research Academics.

This is an exciting opportunity that is open to qualified academic Level A. The level at appointment will be determined on the skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Lead day-to-day coordination of the randomised controlled trial, including data collection and management, recruitment, preparing progress reports for funder, liaison with trial participants, project staff and web developers, and ensuring rigorous and ethical implementation of the trial procedures and protocol
• initiate, implement and evaluate participant recruitment strategies, making use of a range of strategies, including social media, media, print, and digital advertising
• contribute to and lead dissemination activities, including leading/overseeing statistical analyses and preparing peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations
• develop and submit research proposals and applications to external funding bodies
• generate high-quality, timely and accurate research in line with the Matilda Centre’s identified research priorities

In your application, please provide a statement systematically addressing each of the selection criteria below.

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Research Fellow who can demonstrate the following key skills, qualifications, and attributes:

About you

• must hold (or soon to be conferred) a PhD in psychology, public health, behavioural or social sciences, or related field;
• proven experience conducting research in the fields of mental health and/or substance use prevention, early intervention, or treatment
• demonstrated understanding of quantitative research and experience in participant data collection and management (previous experience managing youth-focused mental health or substance use clinical trials would be highly regarded);
• dedicated to ethical research conduct and confidentiality, particularly concerning identifiable data of a sensitive nature
• an emerging track record of research dissemination, as evidenced by peer-reviewed (or equivalent) publications and conference presentations;
• proven previous experience in statistical analysis and reporting of research data (quantitative and qualitative) using statistical software packages such as Stata, R, MPlus, SPSS or similar.
• high-level organisational skills and proven ability to deal with multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet deadlines;
• excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills and a proven ability to work both independently and constructively within a research team
• clinical skills and/or experience delivering treatment or clinical interventions would be highly regarded.

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 forAustralia

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 Now button at the top of the page.

Applications including a comprehensive Cover Letter will be highly regarded.

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], using the subject line: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Level A) - Inroads Project enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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