Research Assistant

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

Dr Etienne Masle-Farquhar is a postdoctoral scientist in the Computational Genomics Lab (led by Prof Joseph Powell), within the Translational Genomics Program. Supported by the NSW OHMR, the Exceptional Responders and HOPE Programs, Dr Masle-Farquhar’s growing team is studying the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, with a focus on arthritic diseases: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, gout and others. We specialise in the use of immunological, genomic and multiomic methods, applied to affected tissues, to reveal the underlying drivers of inflammatory diseases.
There is urgent need to better understand and treat Arthritic diseases, which affect 1 in 10 people worldwide, and have dramatic effects on the physical, mental and financial wellbeing of patients and their families. We are utilising cutting-edge technologies to study precious clinical samples including blood, synovial fluid, tissue, bone marrow and other samples – which are normally discarded during clinical procedures but can be repurposed as precious investigative resources. Our work requires high-quality processing and secure biobanking of clinical samples and metadata, flow cytometric expertise to purify populations of interest, development and execution of microscopy, genomic and multiomic assays.
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support a growing team dedicated to transforming understanding and treatment of inflammatory diseases. This role provides exposure to a multidisciplinary and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, clinical trials coordinators and project managers. The role provides diverse opportunities for scientific and professional growth.
Salary: Up to $81,200 + 14% superannuation + salary packaging (depending on experience)
Employment Type: 1 year fixed term contract

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Required:

• A strong passion for arthritis and inflammatory disease research, and excitement about how this work can improve patient lives and benefit the community.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific discipline, with First Class Honours or equivalent.
• Experience with primary human sample processing and storage, basic methods

including general lab practices, flow cytometry, DNA/RNA extractions, and if possible

single-cell genomics assays.

• Rigour, attention to detail, problem-solving skills and a results-oriented approaches.
• Aptitude for teamwork and a desire to work within and contribute to a fun, productive, collegial work environment.

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading the receipt, processing and secure storage of clinical samples and associated
  metadata, including coordinating their receipt from clinical collaborators, sample
  processing, distribution to internal and external service providers, and rigorous data

management.

• Supporting or leading (depending on level of experience) the development, execution,

and analysis of functional and genomics assays, including flow cytometry, microscopy,

tissue culture, bulk or single-cell DNA, RNA and protein sequencing assays.

• Isolation of cells (eg PBMCs or cells from tissue digests) and nucleic acids for

downstream processing, including preparation of libraries for genomic sequencing.

• Developing and adapting our Standard Operating Procedures, consistent with

institutional best-practice guidelines and with a view to continually improving efficiency

and quality.

• Regular attendance and contributions to internal and external meetings.
• General lab operations including ordering consumables and equipment maintenance.
• Active contributions to our highly social, inclusive, and dedicated working environment.