Postdoctoral Fellow

Posted: 04/07/2023

Closing Date: 31/07/2023

Salary: $108,000.00 - $112,679.00

Job Type: Contract

Location: NSW

Job Category: Research
- Salary breakdown: Salary Range: $108,000.00 - $112, 679.00+ Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses)
- Fixed term contract until 30/05/2024
- Reporting to Dr. Alexis Whitton

**About the Institute**
Located on Gadigal and Bidjigal land (Randwick NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. Emphasising a devoted focus to into suicide prevention, digital mental health, a workplace mental health, we undertake a unique ‘translational’ research approach that allows us to turn our world-class findings into new treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e-health products. We join the dots by connecting research answers, expert knowledge, and the voices of lived experience to deliver solutions that impact and boost the health care system for patients and practitioners alike. Our work is used to drive evidence informed change across the rapidly expanding mental health sector and sets the foundations for a brighter and healthier future for all.

**Benefits**
- Hybrid work, 1-2 days per week in office (choose your days, consistent team collaboration days where possible)
- 35 hour work week, flexible hours agreements & 9-day fortnights
- Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2650.00 meal & entertainment
- Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work
- Pet friendly workplace

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
**The Role**

The appointed Research Associate / Postdoctoral Fellow will play a key role in supporting research projects as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the area of suicide prevention. They are expected to develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research.

Suicide is the leading cause of death amongst Australians aged 15-44. We know that between 50-60 per cent of people who die by suicide do not seek help from a health professional for their suicidal thoughts prior to their deaths. Currently, there is little known about this group of people experiencing suicidal thoughts who are “flying under the radar”, although initial research shows many are seeking help online.

This project aims to understand this diverse group of people to look at what their characteristics, life experiences, stressors, and help-seeking behaviours are, and to understand the barriers to accessing support. The project goal is to codesign a new way of reaching people and developing a pathway into existing health, welfare and social pathways.

**Duties & Responsibilities**
- Conduct research and contribute to the preparation of research outputs, including reports and manuscripts for publication in high impact journals
- Support the dissemination of research outcomes via communications with participants and collaborators
- Undertake recruitment, data collection and maintenance activities, including database management
- Conduct data analysis and interpretation, in consultation with a statistician
- Ensure compliance is carried out with all relevant research ethics and other University policies and procedures
- Ensure timely dissemination of research outcomes through website publishing and use of other social media platforms
- Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.
- Assist with user acceptance testing of the study mobile app and work collaboratively with IT and User Experience Teams as necessary.

**Skills & Experience Required**
- A PhD in mental health, psychology, suicide-prevention or a related field
- Previous experience in analysing and interpreting research data using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA or SAS).
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and build positive relationships
- High attention to detail, including use of structured approaches to data management, documenting research methodologies and findings, maintaining version control over shared documents, and adhering to established guidelines and formatting requirements (e.g., APA-style referencing, following grant formatting guidelines)
- An ability to work both in a team and independently, with a high level of flexibility and initiative with mínimal supervision.
- Strong organisational skills with proven ability to meet deadlines, demonstrate effective time management, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Experience providing mentorship to students and more junior research staff
- Strong computing skills in Microsoft Office.
- An understanding of and commitment to BDI’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and