Research Assistant

at  Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant with experience in research areas related to cardiovascular diseases, mRNA therapeutics and pharmacology to join our Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology lab.
The Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology, and Molecular Imaging and Theranostics laboratories pursue a broad range of projects that have the common focus of improving diagnosis and therapy of thrombotic and inflammatory diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke and atherosclerosis. A range of biotechnological methods are used, including cell culture, flow cytometry, recombinant protein design/production, mRNA therapeutics, generation of functionalised nanoparticles/liposomes, flow chamber, intravital microscopy, ultrasound, MRI, various fluorescence imaging systems and various animal models of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, inflammation stroke and myocardial infarction.
All of these projects have a strong translational orientation, which is facilitated by several laboratory members (physicians, haematologists, cardiologists) treating patients with haematological and cardiovascular diseases. Several of these research projects resulted in patents that are currently being developed further to ultimately improve the health of patients.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You will have:

• Previous experience working as Research Assistant with a proven ability in performing a diverse range of laboratory techniques, ranging from biotechnological methods to preclinical and translational science.
• Relevant Undergraduate degree, Graduate Diploma or equivalent research experience, preferably within the fields of biotechnology and/or pharmacology.
• Understanding of research areas related to mRNA therapeutics, nanotechnology, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmacology and cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other thromboinflammatory conditions.
• Microscopy imaging experience including widefield, confocal, intravital, and multiphoton microscopes.
• Animal handling skills and experience with preclinical mouse models such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and other cardiac diseases.
• A high level of interpersonal skills, which will enable the appointee to liaise effectively with a wide range of people at varied levels internally and externally to the institute.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be a proactive team member and contribute to team development.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability and flexibility to multi-task and coordinate several complex research projects at the same time, working with constantly changing deadlines and priorities, without compromising close attention to detail and accuracy.

In this role you will be expected to:

• Perform and assist with preclinical models, particularly tissue collection followed by cell isolation and preparation for surgical procedures.
• Perform histological and immunohistological tissue preparation, staining, microscopy as well as critical data analyses.
• Production of mRNA therapeutics including liponanoparticle production.
• Recombinant protein production.
• Perform biological, cell biological and molecular techniques, particularly flow cytometry, immunoblotting and ELISA, as well as RT-PCR.
• Responsible for laboratory maintenance and administrative functions in the context of lab organisation and research documentation.
• Coordinate, train, and aid other group members in developing improved techniques or procedures.
• Prepare materials for reports to be written by grant principals and staff on the research project.
• Record and consolidate research data.
• Contribute to the production of conference and seminar papers and publications from research.
• Provide guidance to students in lab work.
• Assure compliance with quality and safety programs.