• $87,000 - $108,000 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses)
• Contract until 27/02/2026
• 0.4 FTE

About the Institute

Located on Gadigal and Bidjigal land (Randwick NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. Emphasising a devoted focus to into suicide prevention, digital mental health, a workplace mental health, we undertake a unique ‘translational’ research approach that allows us to turn our world-class findings into new treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e-health products.We join the dots by connecting research answers, expert knowledge, and the voices of lived experience to deliver solutions that impact and boost the health care system for patients and practitioners alike. Our work is used to drive evidence informed change across the rapidly expanding mental health sector and sets the foundations for a brighter and healthier future for all.

Benefits

• Flexible hours agreements
• Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2650.00 meal & entertainment
• Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work
• Pet friendly workplace
• Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave
• Employee discounts

The Role

The Clinical Research Officer will provide clinical research and operational support for a new study aimed at distinguishing older onset depression from younger-onset dementia. Reporting to Associate Professor, Alexis Whitton and embedded within the Precision Mental Health Research team, the Clinical Research Officer will play a key role in the recruitment of research participants, performing clinical and neuropsychological assessments, and managing study procedures, data, and reports.

Over 30,000 Australians are living with younger-onset dementia, which refers to dementia beginning prior to the age of 65. Between 50-72% of individuals with early onset dementia are initially misdiagnosed, most commonly with a mood disorder, such as depression.
Developing more effective ways to distinguish younger-onset dementia from depression is critical for improving care pathways for both dementia and mood disorders.

This project aims to develop and validate a new assessment battery that could improve the early and accurate distinction of younger-onset dementia from older onset depression. The goal is to identify the clinical and cognitive characteristics that are most strongly predictive of younger-onset dementia in individuals with older onset depression. The study is being conducted in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of mental health researchers and neuropsychologists at the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and University of Queensland, and is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The Clinical Research Officer will assist in screening prospective participants, performing in-person structured clinical interviews, administering tests of memory and cognitive functioning, and managing the resulting data.

Duties & Responsibilities

Specific role duties include

• Screening and recruitment of research participants and communication with participants regarding scheduling their assessment appointment and reimbursement for participation.
• Undertake clinical assessments (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) as well as cognitive assessments (e.g., Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination) with research participants on site at the Black Dog Institute in Randwick, SW.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of procedures to manage participant safety and manage clinical risk.
• Assist with maintaining the resulting database, ensuring all appropriate procedures for data collection, processing, storage, and security are adhered to.
• Ensure compliance is carried out with all relevant research ethics and other University policies and procedures.
• Prepare and contribute to the production of technical reports, and manuscripts for publication

Work Health and Safety

• Cooperate with all health and safety policy and procedures of the Institute and take all responsible care to ensure your actions or omissions do not impact the health and safety of yourself and others
• Undertake mandatory training, including Good Clinical Practise training
• Ensure self and all staff comply with all WHS legislation WHS Policy and Procedures
• Report any WHS hazards and significant issues to Director, People & Culture delegate

Note: the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the Institute may change or request additional activities to meet the operational needs of the business

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Psychology (5+1 and 4+2 pathways) and AHPRA registration as a Registered Psychologist.
• Experience conducting the Mini International Psychiatric Interview or similar structured clinical assessment with adults with mood disorders
• Experience administering neurocognitive assessments, such as the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, Trail Making Test, and Rey Complex Figure Test.
• Relevant experience screening, recruiting and/or liaising with research participants as part of a research study.
• Demonstrated time management skills, with an ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgment and initiative.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills to initiate and maintain effective stakeholder relationships whilst exercising discretion and confidentiality
• An understanding of and commitment to Black Dog Institutes aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.

EEO Statement

Black Dog Institute is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our wider community. We ensure equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, appearance, carer status, cultural and/or racial background, disability, gender identity, lived experience, religion or sexual orientation.

How to Apply

To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, click Apply Now to be sent to our careers site on ELMO and submit your most up to date resume and a detailed cover letter addressing the selection criteria for the role. If you are shortlisted for the role, we will call you and let you know you are successful. Please do not respond to any suspicious emails requesting you to upload your ID or personal details. We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.