"Senior Research Assistant"

Job Description:

• Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) within School of Public Health
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position through until end of September 2026
• Base salary will be in the range $80,523 - $89,505 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 5)
• Based at The Park Centre for Mental Health in Wacol

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Research Assistant to join the Epidemiology and Global Burden of Disease Research Stream at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR). In this role, you will contribute to the internationally recognised Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, supporting high-quality research on the burden of mental disorders across 204 countries and territories. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise in systematic reviews, epidemiology, and data analysis to inform global mental health policy and research.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct systematic reviews in psychiatric epidemiology, including data extraction, quality assessment, and synthesis of findings in line with established GBD methodology.
• Support research design and statistical analysis, applying your technical knowledge to assist in complex epidemiological studies and burden of disease modelling.
• Liaise with international collaborators, providing timely and high-quality data deliverables while working flexibly to accommodate global project timelines.
• Maintain research integrity and efficiency, ensuring accurate documentation, safe data handling, and smooth functioning of research software and infrastructure.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• UQ Study for Staff
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Strong knowledge of research design, epidemiological methods, and principles of mental and public health.
• Demonstrated experience conducting systematic reviews and critically synthesising scientific literature.
• Proficiency in Excel (essential); familiarity with Endnote and R (desirable).
• Experience extracting, summarising, and analysing data from literature, or ability to quickly acquire these skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, time management, and adaptability; able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate international collaborators.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment. The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia and mandatory immunisations.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kate Gadenne (k.gadenne@uq.edu.au).

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Wednesday November 5th 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-56876). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Monday November 10th 2025.