The Opportunity
Here at The Kids Research Institute Australia our vision is simple – happy healthy kids. Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and families is an overarching priority for every program and team here at The Kids.
Our Healing Kids, Healing Family team strives to understand how trauma and adverse circumstances can impact a child and their family, and how we can help them to recover from these experiences. As our impact grows, we now have the opportunity for several new team members to support the meaningful work we do in the field of mental health research.
The Research Assistant to support a project examining the impact of perinatal dissociation (PD) and birth trauma on both mothers' and infants' wellbeing in the first two years of life. This project aims to address resource gaps through co‐creating a PD‐specific screening tool and co‐designing educational resources. This role may also contribute to other projects across the team.
Based in our modern offices within Perth Children's Hospital in Nedlands, this full‐time position will be offered for an initial 1‐year period.
Key responsibilities
* Assist with preparation and submission of ethics applications, amendments and reporting for research involving mothers, infants, families, and clinicians.
* Support engagement, recruitment and retention of study participants.
* Conduct data analysis, including a scoping review and thematic analysis of case studies of perinatal dissociation.
* Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of research outputs (i.e., journal articles, presentations, etc).
About You
The successful candidate will hold an undergraduate degree in a health science or related field (i.e., psychology, social work, counselling, nursing, or public health). You will also demonstrate:
* Research experience in mental health, preferably in child and youth mental health, perinatal or trauma‐related areas.
* Highly developed interpersonal communication and writing skills.
* Participation in the completion and write‐up of a study from conception through reporting, including recruitment, data collection and analysis.
* Experience in managing databases and software for data collection (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics), and analytic software (e.g., NVivo, R software).
* Ability to work with and respect diverse peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse and gender diverse people.
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 recognize 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 strengthen 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 recruitment@thekids.org.au.
Contact Name: Nicole Hanna
Contact Email: nicole.hanna@thekids.org.au
Closing Date: 25/03/2026 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.
Click here for the Job Description.
The Kids Research Institute Australia is committed to being champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot program.
We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.
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