Careers at UniSC

• UniSC Sunshine Coast| Thompson Institute, Birtinya QLD
• Level 7, $67.75 - $74.06 p.h, plus 12% employer superannuation
• Casual appointment

The Opportunity

The Thompson Institute and National PTSD Research Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast is a nationally recognised centre of excellence in PTSD and mental health research. As a Clinical Research Nurse (Mental Health), you’ll play a key role in supporting clinical trials and neuroscience studies focused on trauma-related mental health conditions.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will assist with participant engagement, data collection, and both physical and psychological assessments. Your contribution will help ensure the delivery of high-quality, ethical research that directly informs clinical practice and improves mental health outcomes.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking environment where your work will make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities affected by trauma.

For more information, please visit us online: Thompson Institute

You will:

• contribute to the Thompson Institute’s vision as a leading centre for PTSD research by supporting integrated mental health and neuroscience initiatives to prevent or treat trauma-related conditions;
• provide clinical interventions, trauma informed care and research expertise to support the coordination and delivery of mental health and neuroscience trials at the National PTSD Research Centre;
• provide information, support and encouragement to study participants and assist in undertaking physical and psychological assessments for a range of research projects; and
• assist in participant data collection, including medical histories, vital signs, biomedical sample collection and electrocardiography.

About you:

You are a registered nurse with experience in mental health and a strong interest in clinical research. Skilled in managing clients in outpatient settings, you exercise sound judgement and collaborate effectively with medical teams.

Organised and detail-oriented, you’re confident managing competing priorities and using clinical databases and digital tools. You have excellent communication skills and work well both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Your understanding of ethical research practices, including Good Clinical Practice, supports your ability to contribute meaningfully to clinical trials.

You will possess:

• Completion of a degree in nursing and current unrestricted nursing registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
• Significant experience in working in a mental health setting and ability to use a trauma informed approach to mental health care;
• The ability to support mental health clients in an outpatient setting, exercise sound judgement, and make appropriate referrals in consultation with medical staff as required;
• Well-developed organisational and troubleshooting skills as well as the demonstrated ability to prioritise conflicting demands and meet deadlines;
• High quality written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate professional interaction with a broad range of people;
• High level computing skills including experience with databases, clinical trial electronic data entry, word processing and spreadsheets;
• Knowledge of ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and applicable regulations and a sound understanding of privacy principals governing health information;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team; and
• Previous experience working in clinical trials and/or experience in delivery of rTMS will be highly regarded.

Additional Requirements
It is a condition of employment for this position that you may be required to provide periodic evidence of immunisation against communicable diseases. 

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 20 July 2025.

Your completed application must include:

• a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which will be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team.

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Trish Wilson
Manager, Clinical Programs - Thompson Institute
Telephone: 07 5456 3893
Email: Twilson2@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. According to the 2023-24 Good Universities Guide we are Australia's highest rated public university for postgraduate teaching quality, skills development and student support and Australia's number one public university for overall postgraduate student experience. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. In 2023 we recorded the biggest improvement in Australia for research quality, moving up more than 331 places in the world rank.

At UniSC you will have the opportunity to shape the educational landscape and inspire the minds of future generations. We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your teaching and research endeavours.

We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.