Research Assistant

• Innovative youth suicide prevention research / focus on digital support for families and carers / collaborative CYMH (Orygen) partnerships
• Apply now to drive meaningful digital mental health research that better supports caregivers of suicidal young people.
• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

Your next career opportunity

You will contribute to EcoSYS, an innovative project supporting caregivers of suicidal young people through digital solutions.

You will design, collect and analyse research data, and work closely with lived experience researchers and peak carer bodies.

You will build skills in participant interviewing, stakeholder collaboration, and impactful dissemination of youth mental health research.

What you will deliver:

• Lead day-to-day recruitment activities, monitor REDCap survey responses and process timely participant reimbursements.
• Conduct research interviews with carers and supporters, ensuring sensitive, ethical and trauma-informed engagement.
• Coordinate project operations, including meetings, advisory group support, documentation and accurate maintenance of project records and files.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external peak carer organisations to strengthen partnerships and support co-design research activities.
• Contribute to quantitative and qualitative data analysis, write lay summaries and assist with manuscripts and dissemination materials for diverse audiences.

You may be a great fit if:

• Bring demonstrated experience in mental health, public health, youth engagement or related research and project environments.
• Have hands-on expertise managing and troubleshooting survey data collection using REDCap.
• Possess prior experience involving direct interaction with young people or carers in mental health or related settings.
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation and maintaining accurate, confidential project records.
• Excel at collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including lived experience researchers, carers, non-profit partners and university colleagues.
• Hold qualifications or experience relevant to frontline mental health practice, such as psychology, social work or counselling.
• Value co-production, ethical youth suicide prevention research and producing accessible materials for participants, families and sector partners.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – Centre for Youth Mental Health

At the Centre for Youth Mental Health, you will work with Orygen, a global youth mental health leader.

Our multidisciplinary teams translate world-class evidence into real-world change for young people, families and services.

You will join a supportive, values-driven environment that partners closely with lived experience leaders, carers, clinicians and policymakers.

We prioritise collaboration, reflective practice and development, offering strong opportunities to grow your research skills and sector networks.

Application essentials:

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload your responses to the Selection Criteria, found in the Position Description

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, Dr Daniel Gan at daniel.gan@unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Vanessa Phan hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today, and join a community that’s shaping the future.

Applications close: 16 April 2026 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.