Research Assistant - Swarbrick Lab

at  The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an experienced research assistant to continue analysis of large, well characterised clinical cohorts of primary and metastatic cancer samples in the Swarbrick Lab. The appointed person will have well developed skills in immunohistochemistry, multi-immunofluorescence, and must be comfortable working with human specimens. Previous experience in cryo-sectioning is desired. The appointed person must have a willingness to work with animal models, if necessary, with previous experience desired but not essential. There will be an emphasis on designing, optimising, and executing experiments. The candidate will have high attention to detail, with extensive organisational and documentation skills, and the ability to think deeply to problem solve and take initiative in tasks. Ability to work as part of a large multi-disciplinary team and individually is a must.
Salary: Up to $99,000 + 14% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)
Employment Type: 1 year term contract with possibility of extension

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
• Assist new members of the Research Platform within the laboratory
• Make presentations of research progress to the Research Platform as assigned
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications and research proposals

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;
• Proactively and efficiently manage the administrative functions associated with lab management
• Organise resource and equipment issues

RA7 – RA8
Performs in a collaborative framework

An RA7 – RA8 is accountable for conducting independent experiments within their Research Platform in a collaborative framework with their supervisor. In addition to attaining previous level responsibilities, key responsibilities include:

• Design and manage own experiments in a creative but process-driven manner. Asks pertinent questions and considers the implications of the research being undertaken and considered ways to improve the experiments being undertaken.
• Senior responsibilities consistent with managing a lab
• Act as the point of knowledge for historical information about the operation of the laboratory
• In line with the operating budget - stock control: monitoring and ordering consumables

• Responsible for training new team members in line with laboratory protocols

  Applies to all levels:

• Specific roles required for this position include:

• Assist with cell and tissue preparation for various next-generation sequencing analysis such as single cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics
• Process human tissue and bloods from research participants
• Extraction, QC and clean-up of nucleic acid from tissue and blood samples
• Optimise and perform immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays on OCT and FFPE tissues (human and mouse)
• Basic microscopy and slide imaging
• Liaising with internal and external scientific service providers to prepare and submit samples
• Meticulous sample tracking and cataloguing