Position Number: 0064550
Location: Parkville
Role type: Part-time (0.6 to 0.8 FTE) / Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department: Centre for Youth Mental Health
Salary: Academic Level A – $83,468 - $113,262 p.a. (pro-rata) plus 17% super
- Support the GRACE study by recruiting participants, conducting clinical assessments, and managing data to evaluate guanfacine XR for reducing cannabis use in adolescents.
- Contribute to pioneering research addressing adolescent cannabis use, collaborating with YSAS, Victoria’s leading youth drug treatment service.
- Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!
About the Role
The Research Assistant will support the GRACE study, a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of guanfacine XR in reducing cannabis use among young people aged 12–21 with cannabis use disorder. Working closely with the Research Project Manager and Coordinating Investigator, the RA will recruit participants from Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) locations, conduct clinical assessments, maintain study databases, and provide follow-up during the 12-week intervention period. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to youth mental health research while collaborating with Victoria’s largest provider of youth drug and alcohol treatment services.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Interview participants using a battery of standardised clinical assessment instruments, in accordance with the research protocol.
- Collect accurate data and assist with data entry, verification and basic data analysis.
- Data scoring and data entry are an integral part of the position.
- Build competence and confidence in presenting the projects, study methods, analysis and results to academic and community audiences.
Who We Are Looking For
The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to engage effectively with young people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. They will excel at adhering to research protocols, collaborating within multidisciplinary teams, and independently managing tasks across diverse settings, showcasing initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to research excellence.
You will also have:
- An undergraduate degree with honours in the behavioural or social sciences and/or related discipline, with subsequent experience.
- A strong interest in youth-onset mental health and substance use disorders and interventions and an understanding of psychiatric diagnoses and disorders.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct interviews and interact with young people with mental health and substance use problems.
- Demonstrated administrative and organisational skills in a research setting including proven ability to function effectively both autonomously and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.
This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.
Your New Team – Centre for Youth Mental Health (CYMH)
At the University of Melbourne's Centre for Youth Mental Health (CYMH), we are at the forefront of research, inquiry, and innovation in the field of youth mental health. Our multidisciplinary team, led by Professor Patrick McGorry, is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of young people facing mental health challenges. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research, access prestigious grants, and work in a collaborative environment that values scientific excellence and practical application.
What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!
About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.
We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.
For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring
Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria
Please ensure that you apply through the Apply Now button at the bottom of this advertisement. However, if you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Brett Verity via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.
Position Description
