Who we are?

At MCRI we share a powerful vision; to re-imagine the future of child health. We are the home to many life-changing scientific discoveries. We believe that no question is too impossible to try and answer. We are renowned for our cutting edge focus on early interventions, improved diagnosis, prevention and development of potential cures. Our success is founded on a philosophy of collaboration through a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the toughest questions in child health. MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. We are committed to creating a positive working environment which values all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity.

The Opportunity:

The Principal Research Fellow/Mental Health Research Lead is an exciting opportunity to design, lead and implement a vision for mental health research on the Melbourne Children’s Campus, bringing together the mental health research expertise on the Campus, building a high quality, innovative mental health workforce to answer key research questions relevant to the Campus partners’ strategic priorities and extending their independent research. The role joins a diverse mental health governance team that together will lead and oversee the implementation and evaluation of the Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2025, funded by The RCH Foundation. This role will work with Campus leaders to implement Key Area 3: Research including establishing and chairing the Campus Mental Health Research Group and setting key research priorities for the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy.

The role will collaborate with Campus partners focusing on the Campus Mental Health Strategy’s key areas including mental health screening, prevention, early intervention and treatment in children with chronic illness, neurodevelopmental conditions and vulnerable populations (e.g. refugee, out of home care, First Nations), and lead the development of a Core Research Measures set. They will be responsible for linking the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy with existing research activities and structures to embed evidence-based practice into clinical care. The successful applicant will be appointed via a competitive process and will have a proven track record in academic outputs including grants, publications, and higher degree supervision.

The Principal Research Fellow/Mental Health Research Lead will be expected to have an established mental health research portfolio, lead a mental health research group within MCRI, and contribute to the MCRI Clinical Translation strategic priority.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading the development and implementation of the Campus Mental Health Strategy Key Area 3: Research including establishing a Campus Mental Health Research Group that will develop a cohesive, Campus-wide Mental Health Research Strategy that prioritises the generation, conduct and implementation of high-quality mental health research relevant to The RCH patients and their families.

• Working effectively as a member of the Campus Mental Health Strategy Implementation Team and help to foster engagement and relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting development and expansion of the Campus mental health research workforce, by providing high quality mentorship and supervision to emerging mental health researchers.
• Coordinating Mental Health Translation Forums in partnership with the Clinical Implementation Leads, bringing together researchers and clinicians to conduct high quality clinically relevant research that informs education and training and practice.
• Leading the successful execution of the Campus Mental Health Research Strategy as a key outcome of the Mental Health Strategy.
• Developing a Core Research Measures set for use in Campus research projects, including development of a core mental research strategy for use in Campus mental health research and support of the 6 clinically focussed research projects funded within the Campus Mental Health Strategy.
• Engaging Campus research enablers (biostatistics, health economics, knowledge translation, implementation) in child mental health research.

Selection Criteria

• Relevant PhD/Doctoral qualification and track record in child mental health research or a closely related field (e.g. public health, nursing) and at least 10 years postdoctoral experience (relative to opportunity).
• Recognition as an outstanding researcher at a national and international level with evidence of postdoctoral research achievements, outputs, and impact.
• Ability to develop and implement a research vision for child mental health for the Campus, utilising current strengths and future opportunities.
• Skills for bringing together and providing leadership and mentorship for Campus mental health researchers.
• Demonstrated record of success in securing external competitive funding as Lead Investigator.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging, developing collaborative relationships, and working in partnership with diverse stakeholders.
• Creative and strategic thinker with an innovative, can-do attitude, independent judgement and influencing skills.
• Experience and ability to foster a value driven and positive culture.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Self-motivated and excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Advanced verbal, written and presentation communication skills and experience with a wide range of stakeholders, ideally with group facilitation skills and experience.
• Ability to engage, work with and integrate lived experience and peer support roles and consumers (children, young people) and their carers and families in co-design, consultation, and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights and ability to apply these in an organisational context.
• Experience in developing research strategy and measures to monitor success.
• Experience in management of budgeted financial processes.
• Project management skills/leadership in program/project planning implementation.

What’s in it for you:

• 5 Year Contract.
• Part-Time (19 hours per week).
• Attractive Salary $180,104- $210,279 per annum (pro rata) + Super.
• Salary Packaging, Well Being Program and much more.
• Flexible working options also available.

Apply Now!!

For a full list of responsibilities and the key selection criteria download the position description.

Only applicants who address the key selection criteria will be considered. In one document please place your cover letter, key selection criteria, and resume.

Applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

For specific questions not answered in the PD please contact Belinda Horton [email protected], using the subject line: Principal Research Fellow (Mental Health Research Lead) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Click Apply Now to proceed with your application.

Position Reference: 28859

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.