The Role

A Research Officer plays a key role in supporting research projects as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the area of Trauma, Work, and Adult Mental Health within the Black Dog Institute.

The Trauma, Work, and Adult Mental Health Research Team run Australia's largest clinical research program focused on mental health in the workplace as well as for other high-risk groups, and is led by Black Dog Institute’s Chief Scientist and Executive Director Prof Samuel Harvey.

The Trauma, Work, and Adult Mental Health (TWAMH) Research Team has expertise in e-mental health and in undertaking large scale 'real-world' trials within high-risk workplaces and other settings that increase risk of mental ill health for adults. The Team (formally the Workplace Mental Health Research Team) has an international reputation for their research work and over the last 6 years have gained more than $12 million in research funding.

he TWAMH team has a particular interest in evaluating interventions and analysing data from high-risk populations including first responder groups, healthcare workers, the unemployed, and others adult groups potentially impacted by trauma and mental ill-health. This Research Officer position will provide technical and research assistance to Black Dog Institute’s Chief Scientist and Executive Director Prof Samuel Harvey and senior research staff in the TWAMH team across activities associated with various TWAMH research projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide a high level of research and administrative tasks associated with the specific projects, including attendance at research meetings, preparing meeting agendas, preparing and distributing minutes as required
• Support in the conceptualisation, design, and successful conduct of projects
• Coordinate, plan and complete day to day research activities within the framework of agreed project timelines and responsibilities
• Undertake literature searches and reviews
• Develop ethics applications and amendments, manage the submission to relevant HRECs, oversee and maintaining the master study file and archiving of ethics forms and study documents
• Perform data analysis as required by the research project
• Prepare and contribute to the production of technical reports, manuscripts for publication and funding applications
• Manage the technical aspects of databases, including coordinating and executing data cleaning, data entry, analysis, data management processes and ensuring research integrity in research databases, in adherence to the projects research data management plan
• Recruit research participants into studies, in accordance with study protocols
• Monitor research protocols, provide problem solving and resolution to any evolving problems related to design, implementation and analysis, in collaboration with the supervisor
• Adhere to all research ethics and governance codes and regulations
• Coordinate and liaise with clinical and/or community stakeholders, organisations, provide administrative support and actively participate in meetings and discussions as required 
  
  Work Health and Safety
•   Cooperate with all health and safety policy and procedures of the Institute and take all responsible care to ensure your actions or omissions do not impact the health and safety of yourself and others
• Undertake mandatory training, including Good Clinical Practise and UNSW Research Integrity training
• Ensure self and all staff comply with all WHS legislation WHS Policy and Procedures
• Report any WHS hazards and significant issues to Director, People & Culture delegate 

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor's Degree with Honours (or above) in psychology or related discipline, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through a combination of education, training, or experience.
• At least two years research experience which includes participant recruitment, preparation of ethics applications, conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and/or designing and implementing quantitative and/or qualitative research projects
• Previous experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting research data including use of statistical software (e.g. SPSS, STATA, SAS, NVivo and/or CMA)
• Knowledge of a variety of research protocols, study design and planning as involved in developing research projects, timelines and reporting against milestones
• Experience in the development of ethical applications and other research governance documents
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills to initiate and maintain effective stakeholder relationships whilst exercising discretion and confidentiality
• Good time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgment and initiative
• An understanding of and commitment to BDI’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training  
  
  Desirable criteria
• Experience in research related to trauma, workplaces, and/or adult mental health
• A Masters or PhD qualification in a relevant field
• Experience as a clinician or working in a clinical setting
• Experience in conducting focus groups or research interviews
• Experience leading academic papers for publication 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
We actively welcome applications from candidates of underrepresented backgrounds and recognise that not all candidates will have had equal opportunity to gain experience in the past. If you’re excited about this opportunity but feel you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply as your unique perspective and experiences matter.

How to Apply
To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, follow the link to our careers site on ELMO and submit your most up to date resume and a detailed cover letter addressing the selection criteria for the role. f you are shortlisted for the role, we will call you and let you know you are successful. Please do not respond to any suspicious emails requesting you to upload your ID or personal details.  We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.

Deadline to apply is January 18th, 2026 at 5pm AEST.

Please note: All offers of employment are subject to background checks, which may include police checks, reference checks, and verification of qualifications, as relevant to the role’s requirements.