Peer Researcher - CanOPY

Parkville location | Parking + close to public transport Part-time 12 month contract | 0.6 FTE, 22 hours per week Join a multidisciplinary team | Work within a key research project

About Orygen

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the largest translational research organisation dedicated to youth mental health in the world.

For over 30 years, Orygen has led groundbreaking early intervention and developed evidence-based models of care to improve the mental health outcomes of young people aged 12-25.

About the job

The Peer Researcher will engage with research participants in the CanOPY study to facilitate their entry into the study and ensure their participation is a positive experience. Throughout their time on the project Peer Researchers will be invited and encouraged to provide ongoing feedback about the progress of the study.

Reporting to Project Manager – CBD Clinical Trials you will:

• Build trusted relationships with participants, supporting engagement throughout the study including consent, appointments, medical reviews, and ongoing study participation.
• Champion the participant experience by identifying opportunities for improvement and providing feedback to enhance study processes, procedures, and resources.
• Contribute as an active member of the Steering Committee, providing insights and recommendations on participant engagement, study progress, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the research team to develop and contribute to presentations, publications, and study-related communications aligned with your interests and lived experience expertise.

Skills and experience

The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

• Aged 18-25 and based in Melbourne and personal lived experience of psychosis (personal or carer)
• Passion for engaging with and supporting young people, with a strong understanding of youth mental health, advocacy, and lived experience approaches in research.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships, work collaboratively in teams, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities, including the capacity to work independently, manage competing priorities, and contribute creatively to research projects.
• Confidence using technology and digital platforms, with sound computer skills and an interest in innovation, research, co-design methodologies, and emerging mental health treatments.

Note: this role requires the applicant to be within a specific age range for the duration of their employment within this role. This role falls under the special measures category in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 to promote substantive equality for a group of people who have one (or more) protected attributes such as age. Orygen aims to address equality for young people who have faced or are facing mental ill health challenges.

Benefits

• Salary between $73,000 - $78,000 pro rata commensurate with skills and experience + 12% superannuation and $15,900 in NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card.
• Make a real impact on young people in a dynamic, youth-centered environment.
• Work in a state-of-the-art facility co-designed with young people to advance youth mental health.
• Support Orygen's mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
• Tailor your work hours to balance personal commitments and professional responsibilities.
• Engage in innovative projects alongside passionate professionals across various disciplines.

How to apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in youth mental health and be part of a collaborative, innovative team, apply now.

For the full position description, visit https://www.orygen.org.au/getmedia/246a1fc9-ef03-44dd-be80-446f75130841/Peer-Researcher-PD-Canopy-August-26-final.pdf.aspx

This is a part time – 22 hours a week, with flexibility across days, 12-month contract.

Applications will close on 11th September (8am), unless a suitable candidate is found sooner.

Before applying at Orygen, it’s important to understand that you may encounter sensitive information related to mental health as part of your work. Being aware of this and how it could affect you is essential in deciding if this is the right opportunity for you.

Orygen is committed to providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments for Staff and anyone connected to Orygen. We strive to continue building a culturally safe workplace where our values underpin the way we work and our commitment to First Nations people of Australia, young people and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ people and CALD communities. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people.

Orygen is a child-safe organisation and is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of all young people and embedding safeguarding practices into all our programs and services. All employment appointments are subject to holding a valid working with children check and successful police check.