Research Trainee

Work as part of a team to design and conduct research
- Nurture an interest and passion for research
- Multiple positions available

**About QIMR Berghofer**:
QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading translational medical research institute focused on improving health by developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies, specifically in the areas of Cancer, Infection and Inflammation, Mental Health and Neuroscience, and Population Health. Based in Herston, Brisbane and working in close collaboration with clinicians and other research institutes, QIMR Berghofer is home to more than 600 scientists, students and non-research staff.

**About the Psychiatric Genetics Group**:
With about half of all Australians experiencing poor mental health at some stage in their lives, our research group focuses on understanding factors that influence mental health and behaviour. We work on a range of mental health areas including anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Our team (has training in psychology, genetics and epidemiology) and is dedicated to improving our understanding of how mental health conditions develop and why different treatment approaches work for some people but not others.

**About the Role**:

- Work collectively with other interns and project members to design and conduct research on topics such as (but not limited to):
- The connection between genetics and the environment and their impact on mental health.
- Investigating individual patients’ responses to treatments for psychiatric disorders, such as side-effects and treatment outcomes.
- Optimising research participation protocol to improve participant understanding to improve overall research quality.
- Assist in gathering and summarizing relevant literature to form the basis of the research project.
- Working both independently and as part of a group.
- Building expertise in research methodology

**We are looking for people who are**:

- Interested in and looking to gain experience in research
- 2nd or 3rd-year undergrad in the fields of psychology, public health, science and related fields
- Curious and willing to engage in discussions and help make decisions on study protocol
- Available for 1-2 days a week with flexibility to allow for arrangement of weekly meetings with the rest of the team.

Our team recognises the value brought by supporting diverse voices in the research process and within the research community. We sincerely believe this improves the quality of research we conduct, to ensure our work helps the entire community.
- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds, people with lived experience of mental-health challenges and people with LGBTQIA+ identities.

What we will be doing is bringing together a small group of people who are interested in gaining experience in research and helping support the group to collaboratively explore a research question and write a paper around this with the aim of submitting a manuscript for publication at the end of semester.

Please keep in mind that as stated in the advertisement, these positions are aimed at undergraduate level students.

**FAQs**:
**Q: What will the project be about?**

**A**:We have prepared some research areas for each group to work on and we will work with each group to develop research question(s) relating to these areas. It is likely to be focused on improving the experience of participating in a research study.

**Q: Will I get to create my own research project?**

**Q: Is this a lab-based position?**

**A**:No, sorry. This is an analysis based (dry lab) position.

**Q: How many people will I be working with?**

**A**:We aim to have 2 groups of 4 Trainees. Trainees will be working with a Research Facilitator and others from the group.

**Q: Is this a full-time position?**

**A**: No. This will be a casual position, approximately one full day a week.

**Q: Can this position be done remotely?**

**A**: No. The position requires Trainees to be onsite at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Herston (next to the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital).

**Q: How long will this position last for?**

**A**:The traineeship will be for Semester 2 2025 (ending late November)

**Q: Will positions be available in the future?**

**Remuneration**:Casual hourly rate is $39.16 per hour. This is a casual appointment with an expected commitment of approximately 16-32 hours a fortnight (1-2 days a week)

**Closing Date**:15 August 2025

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or holds a valid visa (or work permit) with work rights in Australia. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

**What we offer**:

- State of the art facilities
- Stimulating work setting focussed on cutting edge medical research
- Supportive/collaborative team environment