Postdoctoral Research Associate – Mental Health and Substance Use

• Two (2) full time fixed term positions available for 12 months at the Matilda Centre

• Opportunity for two research focused academics to join our team to work on prevention and youth-related projects

• Base Salary $109,301 - $116,679 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use provides a world-first synergy of leading epidemiological, prevention, early intervention, and treatment research and translation programs in substance use and mental disorders. The Matilda Centre brings together researchers in broad fields to share skills, integrate data, and harness new technologies to shed light on the nature and understanding of substance use and mental disorders as well as develop and trial innovative prevention, early intervention and treatment programs.

We are looking for two Postdoctoral Research Associates to contribute to our large program of prevention and youth-focused research at the Matilda Centre. The successful applicant will also be mentored to begin to develop their own independent research in the prevention of adolescent mental health problems, substance use and/or related risk behaviours (e.g. poor sleep, excessive screen time, poor diet, physical inactivity).

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead and contribute to manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals

• conduct quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis of existing datasets to understand trends in mental health, substance use and related youth risk behaviours

• disseminate findings via scientific conferences, webinars, and workshops

• assist with the co-ordination and implementation of ongoing prevention studies (including preparing ethics applications, reports to funders, budget management and dissemination of research outcomes)

• assist with the preparation of grant applications to competitive funding schemes e.g. NHMRC, MRFF

• begin to develop an independent program of research e.g. submit applications for seed funding

• perform ad hoc projects assigned by supervisor.

About you

• hold a PhD (or near completion of a PhD) in mental health, substance use, public health, or behavioural science

• experience working on prevention-related research projects, with an excellent understanding of the ethical considerations and practicalities of conducting research with young people

• understanding of trends in mental health, substance use and related youth risk behaviours

• experience analysing large datasets, including clustered school-based data

• prior experience with statistical software e.g. R, SAS, SPSS, Stata or similar platforms.

• emerging track record in publishing peer-reviewed journal articles

• proven ability to work independently and autonomously as well as in a team as needed

• work in an organised and holistic manner, ensuring key deadlines are met.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires valid work rights for Australia.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of