Position Description

Research Assistant

Details

Area Faculty of Health

Team School of Medicine

Employment Fixed-Term, Full-Time

Location HERB

Classification Research Assistant

Reports to Research Fellow

Deakin
Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are agile and innovative, and committed to making
a positive impact through our excellence in education and research and the contributions we make to the
wider community.
Our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff. We offer a dynamic, diverse and
inclusive working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a
progressive, thriving culture will ensure people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our
ongoing success.
As one of Australia’s largest universities, Deakin has strong global linkages, world-class research and an
education portfolio that blends the best of campus and digital delivery into a highly supportive and
personalised student experience.
We offer outstanding education founded on the experience we create for our learners and guided by
graduate outcomes for successful lives and careers. We undertake globally significant discovery research
that benefits our communities through the innovative translation of our ideas into new services, products,
policies and capabilities.
Deakin campuses sit on Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Eastern Maar Countries, and the University
acknowledges, values and deeply respects its connection with the Traditional Custodians and Elders past and
present of these lands and waterways. Deakin is the most popular university destination in Victoria for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and has a rich history of supporting the ambitions of First
Nations students, including through the NIKERI Institute (formerly the Institute of Koorie Education).
Deakin aspires to be Australia's most progressive university, with the principles of diversity, equity and
inclusion underpinning our approach to education, research, employability, digital delivery, innovation, and
partnerships for impact. Our vision is for an inclusive environment where we value and celebrate diversity,
embrace difference and nurture a connected, safe and respectful community. We want Deakin to be a place
where all staff and students feel included and respected for their unique perspectives and talents.
Strategic Plans – Deakin 2030: Ideas to Impact
Benefits of working at Deakin

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Position Description
Research Assistant

Overview
The Faculty of Health at Deakin University is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to support to Clinical
Trial Coordinator and conduct data collection on a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funded study
(HARMON-E). The HARMON-E trial is one of four signature trials being conducted as part of the initiation of
Australia’s first ever mental health clinical trial network MAGNET. HARMON-E is the largest trial to date to
compare the impact of a lifestyle therapy program versus a psychotherapy condition for adults with a mood
disorder. It seeks to recruit 378 Australians of a variety of cultural, socioeconomic, geographic and other
backgrounds to participate.

This position will be based at the Food & Mood Centre, IMPACT in the Health and Education Research
Building (HERB), University Hospital Geelong in a hybrid capacity. Some out of hours work may be required.
Flexibility is essential.
Accountabilities
⋅ Support the Clinical Trial Coordinator in the day-to-day operations of a clinical trial, including data and
sample collection, while working as part of a small team.
⋅ Communicate with the participants in relation to the research project activities.
⋅ Conduct online study interviews for individuals with elevated psychological distress in the context of a
clinical trial
⋅ Take responsibility for collection of data, including administering mental health assessments
⋅ Provide clinical trial support in the implementation of a clinical trial as part of the MAGNET trials.
⋅ Quantitative data analysis
⋅ This is a multi-faceted role and there is scope to also include other administrative duties.
⋅ Maintain databases, to store information on research performance, perform data cleansing, manipulate
data and provide reports assisting in analysing the data including undertaking basic statistical analysis
tasks.
⋅ Draft presentations and research reports, review and edit research documents in consultation with
relevant research staff.
⋅ Assist in the organising meetings, presentations, preparation of reports, and maintenance of databases
and administrative systems.
⋅ Support the preparation of conference papers, articles, research project progress report.

Selection

Qualifications and experience

⋅ A minimum bachelor’s degree in psychology with Honours

⋅ Previous experience in a research environment, especially in lifestyle and/or dietary clinical trials
⋅ Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team environment
⋅ Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills across different stakeholder groups.
⋅ Excellent organisational and time management skills
⋅ Experience in a project environment in a supporting capacity.
⋅ Good understanding of confidentiality issues.

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Position Description
Research Assistant
⋅ Demonstrated written and administrative skills including proficient use of Microsoft Office products.
⋅ Demonstrated proficiency in web-based applications (e.g. REDCap)
⋅ Exceptional record keeping skills and attention to detail.
⋅ Demonstrated organisational skills including the demonstrated ability to maintain a high standard of data
record keeping and a demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines.
⋅ Demonstrated ability to liaise with (and or negotiate with) research clients and other research teams.
⋅ Experience working with mental health populations (desirable)
⋅ Previous experience delivering research-based psychological assessments (desirable)
⋅ Familiarity with relevant disciplinary procedures and research guidelines, including completion of Good
Clinical Practice Training. (desirable)
⋅ The ability to maintain effective work relationships in an environment which is often pressured and
characterised by competing demands.

Capabilities

⋅ Emotional Intelligence manages emotions to positively influence behaviour.

⋅ Growth Mindset open to learning and new experiences, invests in development.
⋅ Communicates engages others through persuasive and influential communication.
⋅ Collaborates cultivates collaboration across Deakin, strives for shared outcomes, builds partnerships.
⋅ Delivers Outcomes creates clarity through governance, makes decisions that result in quality outcomes.
⋅ Plans work plans the delivery of work while balancing priorities and resources.

Special Requirements

⋅ Drivers Licence
⋅ Working with Children Check
⋅ Police check

Note The intention of the position description is to provide an outline of scope and responsibilities, at a
point in time. Please note, responsibilities may evolve in accordance with organisational needs.