Research Assistant

• Based at our Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements​  
• Part-time (0.4FTE); 12 month fixed term contract commencing February 2027
• ​​RES 148 $79336 - $86,599 + 17% Superannuation

Who are we? 

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

The Faculty of Health is dedicated to being at the forefront of teaching, learning, creating and social development and fostering cutting-edge research and discovery. The School of Psychology places high emphasis on research that makes a difference and is solution-led. We work closely with industry partners and the government to put findings into practice.

About the role:

The Research Assistant will contribute to a research project focused on identifying solutions to mitigate the potential harms and enhance the benefits of social media for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The project will involve engaging with young people and key stakeholders through workshops to identify and prioritise practical, evidence-informed strategies that can inform future research, interventions, and policy.

Working as part of a research team, the Research Assistant will support the planning, coordination, and facilitation of stakeholder workshops, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and project administration. The role will involve engaging with diverse stakeholders, maintaining accurate research documentation and records, and ensuring research activities comply with relevant ethical and governance requirements.

As a Research Assistant you will:

• Clarify stakeholder expectations and respond promptly to requests, queries and complaints with a customer-focused approach, ensuring needs are met within agreed standards and timelines.
• Engage in process improvement activities and adopt new ideas, approaches and changes to work practices. Show initiative, generate new ideas and share those ideas with others in the work area to improve process and practice.
• Use knowledge of continuous improvement principles to analyse current processes and practices and create practical, simple and accessible solutions to problems after considering multiple perspectives.
• Recognise the importance of teamwork and of effective communication amongst team members and build rapport within immediate team in ways that are respectful and inclusive of others. Actively seek to maintain positive relationships and support team members in times of pressure and change.
• Build productive relationships with a diverse range of existing stakeholders and actively seek to maintain positive relationships and seeks opportunities to learn from those who have different lived experience to their own.

To be successful as a Research Fellow you’ll have: 

• A degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university, combined with experience in research administration, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research tasks, with knowledge and understanding of research-related activities and processes.
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills with proven ability to effectively analyse information and produce clear, succinct reports and documents which requires interaction with others.
• Well-developed analytical skills, with the ability to interpret legislative and University policies and procedures.
• Comfortable working without close guidance or supervision.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Hannah Jarman, Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology on  h.jarman@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

Position Description - Research Assistant SoP.pdf

Applications for this position close on Wednesday 18th November at 11:55pm

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: 

In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.  

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.