As an Advocacy Research Assistant, you will assist the work of the Mental Health Advocacy Lead to drive the implementation of our Mental Health Strategy by crafting compelling and evidence-based messaging that influence families, service providers, and policymakers alike. Your expertise in evidence synthesis, data analysis, and communication will be instrumental in translating research into impactful initiatives that shape the future of paediatric mental health care.

About Melbourne Children’s Campus

The Melbourne Children’s Campus and its partner organisations The Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics, is dedicated to revolutionizing infant, child, and adolescent mental health care through comprehensive research, education, and advocacy. Our goal is simple yet profound: to ensure every child receives the mental health care they deserve, with families at the heart of everything we do.

What’s in it for you?

• Maximise your pay through salary packaging including entertainment and novated leases.
• Be part of a dedicated team driving transformative change in paediatric mental health care, impacting policy and practice nationally and internationally.
• Enjoy flexible working options.
• Make a significant difference in the lives of children, young people and families by contributing to cutting-edge research and advocacy initiatives.
• Work in a supportive and energetic environment with our growing team.
• Be involved in multiple internal committees and contribute to the cultural success of the organisation.

Your responsibilities include:

• Research Excellence: Conduct rigorous research and synthesize data to produce high-quality written content under the guidance of our Advocacy Lead.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Plan and create evidence-based materials for publications, workshops, reports, and presentations to drive strategy engagement and advocacy.
• Ethical Leadership: Uphold the highest standards of integrity in research, aligning with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research and MCRI policies.
• Collaborative Engagement: Work closely with our Mental Health Strategy team, campus partners, and external stakeholders to foster partnerships and support professional development.

What we need from you:

• Degree/Honours/Masters qualification in social, medical or health sciences or a closely related field or discipline. (e.g. Allied Health, Nursing).
• Strong oral communication and interpersonal skills, adept at engaging, working with and integrating diverse stakeholders including lived experience (children, young people, carers, families), government, service providers, media and community groups.
• Proven track record in conducting systematic and/or rapid reviews or similar strategies for evidence syntheses research translation ideally in child mental health or related areas

For more information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the attached position description.

Any specific questions related to this position should be directed to Belinda Horton at [email protected] using the subject line: Research Assistant Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Who we are

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem-solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.

Join our Vision:

If you are driven by a passion for mental health advocacy and possess the skills to make a real impact, we invite you to join us in transforming the landscape of child and adolescent mental health care. Together, we can create a future where every child’s mental health needs are met with compassion, expertise, and innovation.

Apply Now with a copy of your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier-free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates.

For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment team at [email protected]. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.
Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.