This role is crucial in amplifying the voices of trans and gender diverse youth within our research activities.

This role is offered on a part time contract at 0.4 FTE (15.2 hours per week) until the end of February 2026.

As a Peer Research Assistant, you will:

• Use your lived experience as a trans or gender diverse young person to engage and support study participants.
• Focus on recruiting and engaging trans and gender diverse young people.
• Assist with ethics applications, data collection and analysis, preparing research outputs, and providing administrative support.

You’ll work within a team committed to improving outcomes for trans and gender diverse young people, ensuring their voices are central to our research efforts.

MCRI's purpose is to give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life and Melbourne Children's vision is a world where all kids thrive. To do this effectively we must strengthen our response to the challenges transgender and gender diverse children and families face in receiving quality clinical care, and proactively include their experiences and knowledge in research, education and training. Identity as transgender, gender diverse, or someone with a trans history is required to facilitate peer-led co-design efforts where the complexities of experience are addressed and shaped through lived experience. A Peer Researcher who can relate to the specific experiences of the transgender and gender diverse community provides the opportunity for positive impact, compassion and an intersectional approach when implementing our strategy across the campus.

About your new team

The TAG TEAM (Trans Adolescent Group ThErapy for Alleviating Minority stress) study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a group therapy program designed to improve the mental health of trans and gender diverse youth. This initiative addresses the high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality in this community, striving to create a world where all kids thrive.

What’s in it for you?

• Work alongside experienced researchers and health professionals who are committed to your growth and development.
• Play a crucial role in improving the mental health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse young people.
• Be part of a supportive and inclusive team that values diversity and the contributions of all members.
• Enjoy a role that understands and accommodates the need for work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in research methodologies, ethics applications, data collection, and analysis.
• Maximise your pay through salary packaging including entertainment and novated leases.
• We value our employees, which is why we offer a health and wellbeing program including free access to an Employee Assistance Program.

What we need from you

• Aged between 18 and 25 years
• Lived experience as a trans or gender diverse person
• Qualification or working towards a qualification in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, social work, youth work, peer work, health) and/or relevant experience in a similar role
• Ability to use lived experience to support research participants and outcomes
• Interest in the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse young people
• Experience and confidence in engaging young people and families from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated, hard-working and reliable, with a demonstrated capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Proven record of strong organisation and time-management skills, with capacity to prioritise tasks and work to targets

For more information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the to the position description.

Any specific questions related to this position should be directed to Alessandra Chinsen at [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Research Assistant enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Who we are

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem-solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.

Join us!

If you’re passionate about improving the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people and meet the above criteria, we’d love to hear from you! Please apply with a copy of your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

We welcome individuals of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations in our workplace. We actively encourage talented individuals from all walks of life to apply for our job openings. Our commitment lies in fostering a workplace that is barrier-free and inclusive, aiming to attract the most skilled candidates.

For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment team at [email protected] using the subject line: Peer Research Assistant enquiry via EthicalJobs. Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.

Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

A position description is attached.