Research Fellow – Data Scientist / Biostatistician

Job no: 0057171
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Centre for Youth Mental Health
Salary: Level A  $77,171- $104,717p. a.  plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the Centre for Youth Mental Health

https://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/our-organisation/institutes-centres-departments/cymh  

In January 2009 the University of Melbourne established a new Centre for Youth Mental Health (CYMH) within the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, where the academic and professional staff of The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health (Orygen) who were previously members of specific Departments (notably Psychiatry and Psychology), are now based. All NHMRC and ARC Grants to be used for Orygen activities are managed within CYMH.

The creation of this academic and administrative structure reflects the multidisciplinary nature of this field of inquiry and knowledge, and its growing scientific and practical breadth and significance. This is only the fourth such supra-departmental structure to be created in the Faculty and there is no parallel to date anywhere else in Australia.

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Fellow – Data Scientist / Biostatistician to apply modern and innovative methods of data analysis and simulation to datasets collected at Orygen and its partner organisations. The primary focus of this position is to help identify opportunities to improve the financing and organising of mental health services for young people through the provision of novel data-driven insights.

Responsibilities include:

• Extracting information and conducting statistical analysis using different types of data such as survey data and linked administrative healthcare records
• Developing machine learning algorithms for the prediction of health outcomes
• Using data-driven techniques to identify subgroups of young people with distinctive pathways through care and health service utilisation behaviours
• Contributing to the development of statistical analysis plans and drafting of reports and research papers

About You

You are an experienced Data Scientist / Biostatistician with excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with researchers and other stakeholders who may have limited experience and understanding of statistics and modeling. You will be able to draw on your highly developed organisational and time management skills to set priorities and meet project deadlines.

You will also have:

• A Master or PhD qualification in biostatistics, statistics, data science, epidemiology, economics, population health or other quantitative areas such as psychology, neuroscience or ecology
• Demonstrated ability to apply research methodologies and quantitative data analysis.
• Experiences in developing and/or applying machine learning models for clustering and prediction tasks.
• Highly developed R programming skills including data processing/wrangling, statistical and/or simulation models, and data visualisation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team to achieve project goals.

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^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

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au .  

Position Description