3x Full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity
An excellent opportunity to work with the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use on an Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing-funded project with the aim of building the capacity of the alcohol and other drug workforce to respond to mental health conditions
Base Salary $89,755 + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use provides a world-first synergy of leading prevention, early intervention, treatment research and translation programs in substance use and mental disorders. The Matilda Centre undertakes research and brings together researchers currently working across disorder silos (substance use, depression, suicide, anxiety, exercise physiology, dietetics, chronic disease) to share skills, synergise data, and harness new technologies to develop and trial innovative prevention and early intervention programs for substance use and mental disorders.
Join as a Research Assistant within the Matilda Centre and play an important role in supporting research that improves mental health and substance use outcomes across the community. Working within a nationally recognised research environment, you will contribute to projects focused on the treatment and translation of evidence-based practice, helping deliver research that creates meaningful impact across clinical, policy, and public settings.
In this varied and collaborative role, you will provide administrative and research support across one or more projects, contributing to project coordination, data management, stakeholder engagement, communications activities, and the development of research outputs. You will work closely with researchers, clinicians, project partners, and other stakeholders to support project delivery, monitor progress, and ensure activities are delivered to a high standard.
Working under general supervision, you will manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment in day-to-day decision-making, and contribute to a team committed to improving health outcomes through high-quality research, innovation, and evidence-based practice.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
Provide high-quality administrative support across one or more research projects, including coordinating project activities, maintaining project documentation, managing records, and supporting the delivery of project milestones and priorities.
Maintain and manage project data with a strong focus on accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and compliance, while contributing to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to support project evaluation and reporting.
Assist with the preparation of research reports, publications, presentations, literature reviews, and other evidence-based resources, synthesising information for scientific, clinical, and community audiences.
Support the planning and delivery of project communications, promotions, and stakeholder engagement activities to enhance project reach, visibility, and translation of research outcomes.
Coordinate and support the planning and delivery of project meetings, webinars, forums, and training workshops (online and in-person), including scheduling, liaising with speakers, participants, and stakeholders, facilitating activities, taking minutes, collating key insights, and ensuring the smooth running of all events.
Support project operations through stakeholder liaison, financial administration, process improvement, and the development of strong collaborative relationships across the research team and external partners.
Assist with the tracking and monitoring of project activities and performance. Identify and suggest administrative improvements to automate processes and proactively report project issues to supervisors.
In your application, please provide a Cover Letter systematically addressing each ‘About You’ point.
About you
Tertiary qualifications in Psychology, public health, or Behavioural or Social Sciences (Honours preferred) and/or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
Demonstrated experience in a research or project-based environment, with strong organisational and administrative capability, and the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple activities, and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
Proven experience managing research data, undertaking data analysis, interpreting findings, and contributing to the preparation of reports, research outputs, and evidence-based resources, supported by a sound understanding of statistical methods and relevant analytical tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven report writing capability and the confidence to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, building trusted relationships and communicating with professionalism, tact, and discretion.
Highly detail-oriented and digitally confident, with sound capability across Microsoft Office, statistical packages, and online communication or engagement platforms, using technology to support project coordination, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Genuine interest in mental health and substance use research, with an understanding of the importance of translating research into real-world impact, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Pre-employment checks and declarations
Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+ We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations by email to roshik.prasad@sydney.edu.au
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The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
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Applications Close
Wednesday 27 May 2026 11:59 PM
