Senior Research Officer

The Opportunity

The Senior Research Officer will work with the Team Leader of Healing Kids, Healing Families, and Co-director of Embrace at The Kids, to develop a new program of research focused on co-designing professional development resources that promote culturally safe and intergenerationally trauma-informed practice. This program aims to strengthen the capacity of mental health professionals to provide effective, respectful and culturally safe care for Aboriginal families affected by historical and ongoing trauma.

This position will be responsible for coordinating, supporting, and leading a broad range of research activities within this stream of work, with support from senior staff within Healing Kids and Healing Families.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Lead mixed-methods research activities, including ethics, recruitment, data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate co-design activities and yarning circles in partnership with the Aboriginal Project Officer.
• Develop, test and refine professional development resources for mental health practitioners.
• Produce high-quality research outputs, including reports, publications and presentations.
• Manage project planning, timelines, stakeholder engagement and grant/ethics submissions.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to a collaborative, culturally safe research environment.

Based at our offices at Perth Children's Hospital, this is a full time, permanent role.

About You

The ideal candidate will bring:

• PhD in a relevant discipline, with mental health–related qualifications desirable.
• Strong understanding of culturally safe research and experience working with Aboriginal communities.
• Research experience in mental health, ideally child, youth or trauma-related.
• Experience designing and conducting mixed-methods research or systematic reviews.
• Competence in qualitative and quantitative analysis (e.g., NVivo, R).
• Proven record of high-quality research outputs and strong written communication skills.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff and working collaboratively in teams.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to meet competing deadlines.

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit, support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

If you meet many, but not all, of the role requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we:

• Support staff-led inclusion and allyship groups.
• Offer flexible work practices that recognise different needs and life stages.
• Provide training, development and mentoring opportunities to increase inclusive leadership and create an environment where all staff can thrive.
• Partner with communities to strength cultural awareness and belonging.
• Ensure adjustments and accessible practices are available for diverse community groups.
• We continually strive to measure our progress and improve where we can.

Alongside our inclusive culture, you'll enjoy:

• Extra annual leave at Christmas and Easter.
• Salary packaging and entertainment benefits.
• Health and wellbeing programs with weekly events.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Recognition and professional development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning.
• Modern offices with sit-to-stand desks and end-of-trip facilities.
• Staff discounts on travel, IT, stationery, and access to corporate health insurance.

How to apply

If this role feels like the right fit and an exciting new opportunity for you, please click on 'Apply Now' to visit our Career Site, view the Job Description, and submit your application.

Please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) that specifically addresses the skills and experience outlined in the "About You" section.

Applications will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties or require reasonable accommodations in completing your application, please contact

For more information about the role please contact: Nicole Hanna, Program Manager

Contact

Closing Date: 8th December 2025 at 11:59 - The Kids Research Institute reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.