• Become a part of a team that is devoted to making the world a healthier place
• Support research for a project targeting individuals who have not received clinical care in a period of suicidal distress or prior to an attempt
• Part-time 12 month contract working 2.5 days per week

About the Institute:

The Black Dog Institute is a Medical Research Institute and a global leader in translational mental health research. We harness the latest technology and other tools to quickly turn our world-class research findings into clinical services, education and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness and the wider community.

We pride ourselves on translating our own world leading Workplace Mental Health research into an award-winning culture that encompasses a holistic view of wellbeing. We aim to create a positive, mentally healthy workplace that recognises the importance of meaningful work, balanced lifestyles, psychological well-being and continual learning whilst being guided by our core values - Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Innovation and Respect.

We offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Salary packaging
• Commitment to Learning and Development
• Flexible working hours and work-life balance
• Generous parental leave policy
• Pet friendly office
• Social and team events

About the Under the Radar Project:

The Under the Radar project aims to:

• Develop a new model of care or service for people who are not receiving clinical care for their mental health in a period of suicidal distress or prior to a suicide attempt, people who are “under the radar”
• Test this new intervention through a pilot trial and find a pathway to make the solution sustainable

The first phase will to be to better understand the very diverse group of people who are “under the radar” through reviews of existing studies and speaking to people with a lived experience of suicidal distress and experts in the field.

This will be followed by a co-design process to create a model of care based on best practice – including perspective from lived experience, researchers, clinicians, community services and the broader community.

About the Role:

The Lived Experience Research Officer will be responsible for leading the evaluation of the co-design process and undertaking research to better understand those who do not reach out for clinical support when experiencing suicidal distress.

The findings will support the generation of insights used by the co-design team to design an alternative intervention for this cohort. Part of the challenge will be finding creative ways to reach and recruit people to participate, to hear the perspectives of those that not previously known to mental health services or research institutes. The research will include conducting surveys, interviews and arts-based approaches. The Lived Experience Researcher will work collaboratively with the Post-Doctoral Researcher with support from the Professor of Mental Health.

Key Duties:

• Conduct research as a member of a team, and independently, and ensure all research is conducted to methodological and ethical standards
• Collaborate with the Under the Radar Codesign Team to shape the research, share findings and support the design of the new intervention
• Share your personal lived experience of suicidal distress in a way that creates insight, challenges the status quo and supports the deeper integration of lived experience into research design and methodology
• Manage the research progress to achieve milestones and keep to operational plans
• Undertake research analysis and produce/contribute to peer-reviewed research and conference papers
• Be actively involved in the recruitment of study participants, collection and storage of research data
• Assist with the research support of the Under the Radar team as required
• Support the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research evaluation including collations, analysis, and interpretation of datasets and analysis of qualitative data using appropriate methodologies.
• Interpret evaluation information and work collaboratively with the Postdoctoral Fellow to provide advice and develop recommendations to inform the project and co-design across the Black Dog Institute
• Maintain relationships and have clear open communication with the wider research team, lived experience representatives and advisers, and key stakeholder groups
• Attend meetings associated with the research projects and contribute your unique perspective

About You:

The successful candidate will have the following:

Essential Criteria

• A lived experience of suicide, carer or bereavement by suicide
• A tertiary degree with honours in psychology, public health, public policy, social science, or a related discipline
• A minimum of two years in qualitative data collection and analysis, including work that involves skilful conversations (e.g. interviews, peer support etc.) and critical interpretations
• A minimum of two years experience in the foundations in quantitative analysis, including descriptive statistics and survey analysis
• Experience undertaking literature searches and reviews, and synthesis of academic research literature, reports, and other material
• Highly advanced written and verbal communication skills, with a strong demonstrated capability of writing for diverse range of audiences including writing research reports and manuscripts
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and build positive relationships
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills, and the capacity to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of equal opportunity principles, OHS responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant OHS training

Desirable Criteria

• An experience of being “under the radar” – experiencing suicidal distress but not accessing traditional clinical services
• Knowledge and experience using participatory research methods.
• Familiarity with lived experience participation frameworks, literature and research

For a full list of duties and selection criteria, please download the position description. Please apply using the online portal (link below) with your resume and cover letter addressing selection criteria outlined in the position description. Candidates who apply via email will not be considered.

Please email [email protected] using the subject line: Lived Experience Research Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs if you have any questions or queries.

The Black Dog Institute is an EEO Employer.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encouraged to apply.