Full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity to join The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use as a Research Assistant in Youth Mental Health Join a supportive research team and make a meaningful impact by advancing knowledge and support for adolescents Base Salary $89,755 - $100,495 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. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a meaningful research project evaluating a preventive approach for mental ill health and alcohol use among adolescents. As part of a collaborative research team, you will play a key role in coordinating a randomised controlled trial of a school-based, digital intervention to improve youth mental health and help-seeking. You will assist with the preparation of study materials, ethics submissions and grant applications, as well as data collection, analysis and reporting. The position also involves developing and delivering recruitment campaigns to attract schools, and working closely with researchers, schools, administrative staff and web developers to ensure the smooth delivery of the project. This role will suit a highly organised and motivated individual with experience in clinical trials and a passion for mental health research. Your key responsibilities will be to: Coordinate the day-to-day operations of a randomised controlled trial, including participant recruitment, data collection, progress reporting, and liaison with schools, researchers, and administrative staff. Prepare study materials, including research protocols, ethics applications, surveys, and study procedures to support timely research activities. Implement a variety of recruitment strategies to engage schools in the trial and meet recruitment targets. Regularly test the website and digital intervention for technical issues and coordinate refinements with web developers. Manage trial communications and stakeholder relationships, including research teams, administrative staff, and web developers, to support study delivery and website refinements. Coordinate data collection occasions and be available to assist with the implementation of the intervention through schools. Assist with management and storage of study data including data cleaning. Contribute to the dissemination of findings through reports, conference presentations, webinars, and peer-reviewed publications, as well as submissions to granting bodies. Provide operational and administrative support, including invoice processing, purchasing, and escalation of complex matters to ensure smooth project delivery. In your application, please provide a statement systematically addressing each of the selection criteria below. About you Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Behavioural Science, Public Health, or a relevant field (an Honours degree is highly preferred). Strong organisational, planning and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing tasks, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage sensitively with stakeholders, while maintaining confidentiality. Demonstrated experience in conducting and/or coordinating clinical trials, including data collection and management, data analysis, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data, ideally within mental health research are preferred. Excellent organisational skills. Previous experience and skills reporting on, and disseminating, research findings to the public (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and presentations) are preferred. Proficiency in computer systems, databases, and online tools. Experience conducting statistical analyses using statistical packages such as SPSS, Stata or R Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercising initiative, sound judgement, and positive stakeholder engagement across diverse teams and partners. Sponsorship / work rights for Australia You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations by email to roshik.prasad@sydney.edu.au © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Tuesday 05 May 2026 11:59 PM