The Oncofetal Ecosystem lab is involved in research at the intersection of cancer genomics and immunology and is committed to the development of next generation of medical therapies. The research in the laboratory involves cutting edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomics technologies, bioinformatics, machine learning and innovative approaches for mRNA vaccine

development.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Research Assistant, Level 1 to 6 is accountable for conducting experiments within their Research Platform.

Salary: Up to $99,000 + 14% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)

Employment Type: 1-year fixed-term contract

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS

Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)

Ample opportunities for on-going training and development

Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment

Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times

18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation

A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave

Discounted Health Insurance

Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

WHAT YOU WILL DO

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITES

RA1 – RA2

Performs in a reporting framework

An RA1- RA2 is accountable for conducting experiments within their Research Platform and key responsibilities include:

Conduct experiments under supervision such as tissue culture, genotyping, maintenance and monitoring of mouse colonies and routine assays

Record experimental procedures and results

Regularly attend meetings with the wider Research Platform community as required

Be involved in junior lab responsibilities such as:

Store duties, wash-up and cleaning of shared rooms

Stock control: monitoring and ordering consumables under supervision

Media preparation

Responsible for imparting knowledge in relation to limited skills or experimental expertise

RA3 – RA4

Performs under guidance rather than constant supervision

An RA3 – RA4 is accountable under guidance for conducting experiments within their Research Platform. In addition to attaining previous level responsibilities RA1 – RA2, key responsibilities include:

Assist with and perform more complex experiments, under guidance

Assist with interpretation of experimental procedures and results

Create and present reports on scientific findings under guidance

Responsible for imparting knowledge in relation to specific skills or experimental expertise

Regularly attend meetings with the wider Research Platform community to discuss and review current and future technologies and experiments as assigned

Carry out own experiments, according to the project aims as set out by supervisor, ensuring the quality of research is consistent and reliable

RA5 – RA6

Performs in a reporting framework

An RA5 – RA6 will work in a collaborative environment when conducting experiments within their Research Platform. In addition to attaining previous level responsibilities RA1 – RA4, key responsibilities include:

Design and manage own experiments and report and discuss findings back to supervisor

Regularly attend extra seminar meetings and conferences

Contribute towards research projects through to joint authorship of abstracts and publications in journals specific to field

Develop research-related material for the benefit of scholars with appropriate guidance from senior staff, and assist in the design and/or the operation of specialised laboratory and technical equipment or the conduct of advanced research procedures;

ABOUT YOU

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

The key skills and experience include:

RA1 – RA2

RA 1 - Bachelors’ Degree in Science or Medicine (preferably with Honours);

RA 2 – Bachelors’ Degree in Science or Medicine (1st Class Honours);

Competent computer skills (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)

RA3 – RA4

Bachelors’ Degree in Science or Medicine (preferably with Honours)

Competent computer skills (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)

High level of accuracy and attention to detail;

Specific technical expertise relating to position or field of study;

Competent report writing and presentation skills;

Appointment at this level would normally require at least 4 years’ experience within a lab, however this alone is not sufficient.

RA5 – RA6

Bachelors’ Degree in Science or Medicine (preferably with Honours)

Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal

Advanced problem solving skills

Presentation skills – professionally drawn graphs, figure legends and method sections to publishable standard

Proficiency in interpreting data and results

Sound understanding of clinical aspects of the research required

Displays considerable experience and expertise in a broad range of procedures relevant to the current research field

Research Assistants within Garvan are expected to possess the following attributes as shown below:

RA1 – RA2

Strong commitment to quality.

Team-focused approach.

High degree of flexibility.

Ability to take direction well.

Showing ability to time manage.

Appropriate prioritisation of workload.

Good communication skills.

Comfortable with basic decision making.

RA3 – RA4

Ability to act under guidance rather than constant supervision.

Displaying innovative and proactive abilities.

Developing intellectual understanding of current research field.

Good communication skills.

Comfortable with moderate decision making.

RA5 – RA6

Ability to work autonomously.

Display innovative and proactive abilities.

Develop intellectual understanding of current research field.

Excellent communication skills.

Comfortable with high level decision making.

Specific skills and experience expected for this role:

Experience in animal handling, breeding, maintenance, and record keeping

Experience with IV, IP, and other injection techniques in animals

Experience with cardiac and preferably cheek bleeding in mice

Prior experience with small animal surgery and tissue harvesting

Strong technical proficiency across a broad range of techniques, including blood and tissue processing, flow cytometry, cell staining and fixation, molecular biology and immunoassays (e.g., ELISA), and data analysis

Advanced written and verbal communication skills

Ability to produce professional-quality graphs, figure legends, and method sections suitable for publication

Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of techniques relevant to the current research area

Demonstrated commitment to high-quality, consistent work, with strong organisational skills, punctuality, and reliability

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with researchers both within the group and across laboratories – this role requires the RA to work closely with the postdoctoral researcher leading the mRNA vaccine project

ABOUT GARVAN

Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document, stating why you are interested in this role. If you think you’re the right person for this role, we’d love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.