Post doctoral research fellow or research fellow in mindfulness & mental health

Job no: 0062198
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Contemplative Studies Centre, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences
Salary: Level A – $101,460 – $108,906 p.a. plus 17% super | Level B - $114,645 - $136,136 p.a. plus 17% super

About the Role
We're hiring for a Melbourne-based role to drive, in conjunction with colleagues, research on personalising mindfulness meditation training in the modern era. The appointee will play a key role in project planning, management, and dissemination of progress and outcomes of research that explores how different modes of delivery of mindfulness instruction - such as automated, digital, teacher supported - effect mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

This role will be appointed at either Level A or Level B, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, with distinct responsibilities outlined for each level, including contributions to CSC research.

Key responsibilities include:

• Actively assisting in research on the intersection of mindfulness and mental health, and on the personalisation of mindfulness meditation training, including work evaluating modifications of delivery modality and support mechanisms.
• Publishing and presenting research findings in high-quality scientific journals and conferences.
• Leading day-to-day management of research studies including responsibility for ethical and governance aspects, recruitment, data collection, database construction and analysis of quantitative data.

Who We Are Looking For
You will be an ideal candidate if you can effectively balance collaboration with leadership, communicate adeptly with colleagues to drive progress, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. Your ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, coupled with excellent organisational and time management abilities, will enable you to succeed. 

You will also have:

• A PhD (or expected completion of one prior to commencement of the position), or equivalent research higher degree, in psychology, mental health, health sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience collecting, wrangling, and analysing data in the R programming language (or experience in an analogous software platform and willingness to learn R)
• Experience in applying advanced statistical methods (e.g., linear mixed effects modeling, factor analysis, structural equation modelling) to behavioural (or similar) data
• Experience with clinical trials and/or longitudinal data design, collection, and analysis.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is available for this position

Your New Team – The Contemplative Studies Centre

The Contemplative Studies Centre (CSC) is an exciting initiative set up with a large philanthropic donation and is designed to expand contemplative studies research, education, and community engagement. Contemplative studies focus on the variety of religious, spiritual, and secular practices – such as meditation, mindfulness, and prayer – at the very heart of what it is to be connected to ourselves, one another, and the world. These practices help people from all walks of life, facilitate well-being, and aid in developing a meaningful, balanced life. The CSC is led by A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam and is housed within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences (MSPS) in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. 

MSPS, a top-ranking institution globally, attracts exceptional students to its diverse range of accredited programs. With a focus on research excellence, it collaborates with renowned institutes and hospitals. Hosting a vibrant community of staff and students, it offers a spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, fostering innovation and growth. Located across various sites, including the iconic Redmond Barry Building, it thrives as a hub for academic excellence and collaboration, shaping the future of psychology education and research.

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits  page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website  and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .   

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion  page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at [email protected] , with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• Your responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Walid Abdullatif via email at [email protected] , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

Position Description