Who we are?

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is home to significant scientific discoveries. We believe there is an answer, a cure or a better treatment for every childhood condition and we’re determined to find it. We are a diverse team of world-leading researchers, doctors, engineers, and hardworking professionals in corporate and scientific services from all corners of the world with one shared goal — to transform child health worldwide. Our strength lies in our partnership and co-location with The Royal Children’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne — the Melbourne Children’s Campus. This rare model amplifies opportunities to quickly translate research into clinical care. At MCRI, you’ll also find our subsidiary organisation, the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), a specialist childhood, prenatal and adult genetics service. VCGS provides an integrated genetic consultation, counselling, testing and diagnostic support service to children, adults, families and prospective parents.

Together, we share a powerful vision: re-imagine the future of child health.

About Campus Mental Health Strategy

The Melbourne Children’s Campus (Campus) and its partners (The RCH, MCRI and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne) are committed to the Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2025 (Mental Health Strategy). The overall objective of the Mental Health Strategy is for the Campus to deliver uniform and evidence-based, comprehensive infant, child and adolescent mental health care and prevention supported by education and research to ensure the best outcomes for children and their families. Child and family centred care will be at the heart of this. The clinically driven research will inform our workforce education and training programs which in turn will inform evidence based, consistent care as well as proactive internal and external policy and funding advocacy.

The Opportunity:

The Research Lead is an exciting opportunity to lead the Research key area of the newly funded Campus Mental Health Strategy, bringing together the mental health research on Campus, and developing their own research relevant to the Campus strategic priorities. The role joins a diverse mental health governance team that together will lead and oversee the implementation and evaluation of the Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2025, funded by The RCH Foundation. This role will work with Campus leaders to implement Key Area 3: Research including establishing and chairing the Campus Mental Health Research Group and setting key research priorities for the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy. The role will collaborate with Campus partners focusing on the Strategy’s key areas including screening and measurement, chronic illness, and vulnerable populations (e.g. refugee, out of home care, First Nations), and lead the development of a Core Research Measures set. They will be responsible for linking the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy with existing research activities and structures to embed evidence-based practice into clinical care. The successful applicant will be appointed via a competitive process and will have a proven track record in academic outputs including grants, publications, and higher degree supervision. Within MCRI, the Research Lead will be expected to develop their own mental health research portfolio and research group, as well as be a member of the newly established Clinical Translation Executive.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading the development and implementation of the Mental Health Strategy Key Area 3: Research including establishing a Campus Mental Health Research Group that will develop a cohesive, Campus-wide Mental Health Research Strategy that prioritises the generation, conduct and implementation of high-quality mental health research relevant to The RCH patients and their families.
• Working effectively as a member of the Mental Health Strategy Implementation Team and help to foster engagement and relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting development and expansion of the Campus mental health research workforce, by providing high quality mentorship and supervision to emerging mental health researchers.
• Coordinating Mental Health Translation Forums in partnership with the Clinical Implementation Leads, bringing together researchers and clinicians to conduct high quality clinically relevant research that informs education and training and practice.
• Leading the successful execution of the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy as a key outcome of the Mental Health Strategy.
• Developing a Core Research Measures set for use in Campus research projects, including development of a core mental research strategy for use in Campus mental health research and support of the 6 clinically focussed research projects funded within the Mental Health Strategy.
• Engaging Campus research enablers (biostatistics, health economics, knowledge translation, implementation) in child mental health research.

Selection Criteria

• Relevant PhD/Doctoral or equivalent qualification and track record in social, medical or health sciences research or a closely related field (e.g. public health, nursing, psychology).
• Ability to engage, work with and integrate lived experience and peer support roles and consumers (children, young people) and their carers and families in co-design, consultation, and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights and ability to apply these in an organisational context.
• At least 10 years postdoctoral experience (relative to opportunity) and appropriate level of expertise gained from a combination of experience, training, or professional accreditation.
• Recognition as an outstanding researcher at a national and international level with evidence of postdoctoral research achievements, outputs and impact including publication records (first or senior author papers), conference attendance and speaking invitations.
• Demonstrated record of success in securing external competitive funding as Lead Investigator.
• Evidence of successful higher degree student completions.
• Experience in developing research strategy and measures to monitor success.
• Experience in management of budgeted financial processes relevant to role within the Strategy, including recording and reporting.
• Ability to analyse multiple sources of information and synthesise into an integrated strategic approach to mental health system development and quality improvement.
• Project management skills/leadership in program/project planning implementation across multiple projects and organisations with the proven ability to unite stakeholders under a common goal within the agreed timeframe.
• Experience and ability to lead and supervise/mentor researchers and staff in order to foster a values driven and positive culture.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in engaging, developing collaborative relationships and working in partnership with diverse stakeholders to design, implement and evaluate Strategy activities.
• Creative and strategic thinker with an innovative, can-do attitude, independent judgement and influencing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, keeping others informed of work progress or issues.
• Self-motivated and excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to multi-task with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced verbal, written and presentation communication skills and experience with a wide range of stakeholders, ideally with group facilitation skills and experience.
• Intermediate skills and knowledge using the Microsoft Office suite including spreadsheets, database programs, and word processing.

What’s in it for you:

• 2 Year Part -Time Contract (0.5 FTE) (Possible Extension).
• Attractive Salary $159,493 - $175,711 per annum + Super.
• Salary Packaging, Well Being Program and much more.
• Flexible working options also available.
• Be part of a happy team of people who like what they do and are passionate about making a difference.

Apply Now!!

For a full list of responsibilities and the key selection criteria download the position description.

Please submit your resume and cover letter in one document. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t 100% match the exact criteria for this position. Applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

For specific questions not answered in the PD please contact Belinda Horton [email protected] using the subject line: Research Lead - Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021-2025 enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Click apply now to proceed with your application.

Position Reference: 28859

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.