Research Fellow

Description:

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

About the team

The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health within the School of Indigenous Studies brings together the University’s expertise, programs and resources in a strong collaborative partnership focused on a central theme for Aboriginal peoples and communities - Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives. The Centre aims to drive a transformative intergenerational Aboriginal health research agenda, which delivers tangible, measurable health outcomes and services directly to Aboriginal peoples and communities.

The School of Indigenous Studies aims to achieve excellence and equity in all aspects of higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The School offers an Aboriginal Orientation Course, a schools' Outreach programme and provides ongoing support for Indigenous students enrolled in mainstream university studies. The School offers an Indigenous Studies’ major, and is a strong advocate for the development of Indigenous cultural competency policy, education and training at state, national and international levels.

About the opportunity

As the appointee you will, under the direction of the Chief Investigators conduct research on the Medical Research Future Funds, Million Minds Mission project (Million Minds), “Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing” and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.

The project works collaboratively with Indigenous service users, families and communities, to develop clinically and culturally capable Indigenous mental health service models to support 1) access to and effectiveness of clinical treatment and cultural healers; 2) support mainstream services to work better across cultural and experiential differences; and 3) integrate mental health, wellbeing, alcohol and drug, suicide and social and cultural support service responses through multidisciplinary teams.

Under the broad direction of Chief Investigators on the Million Minds project, you will research and collaborate independently with colleagues based at UWA and within Indigenous and research organisations located around Australia. You will work with key stakeholder groups including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, peak bodies, policymakers, clinicians, and scientists.

As the appointee you will also engage in a range of activities which aim to support and promote best-practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention. This will occur under the direction of the Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. You will research and collaborate independently with colleagues based at UWA and also with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations located around Australia, and other organisations involved in suicide prevention. You will work with key stakeholder groups including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, peak bodies, policymakers, clinicians, PHNs, and scientists.

You will be required to mentor, supervise, and facilitate students, post-graduate researchers, and collaborate with community partners on projects related to this research.

About you

To be considered for this role, you will demonstrate:

• Completed doctoral qualification within the areas of public health, allied health, psychology, or related discipline
• Experience and understanding of topics concerning Indigenous or First Nation peoples at the individual, community, national, and international levels
• Demonstrated experience in research and development practices, data collection and data analytics, especially in the areas of Indigenous Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing
• Demonstrated scholarly research and a publication profile relative to opportunity
• Highly developed and effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated research project or project management
• Ability to work independently, show initiative, and work productively as part of a team