Technical Officer in Radiation Biology: Centre for

**Introduction**:
WIMR is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes located at the heart of the Westmead Health Precinct, designated as the lighthouse precinct for Biomedical technology by the NSW Government. WIMR is an independent medical research institute governed by a Board. It is a multi-disciplinary institute with research across key themes being:

- Infection and Immunity
- Cancer
- Liver and Metabolic
- Neuroscience and Vision
- Cardiorespiratory

Closely affiliated with the University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, the Institute’s research extends from the laboratory to the patient using the basic tools of molecular and cell biology, genetic epidemiology, imaging technology and clinical research.

Biomedical research in the Institute extends into clinical research programs across a wide range of disciplines which may interface with the many clinical trials in progress at any one time. This “bench to bedside” approach enables greater translation of research from biomedical discovery to the development of new prevention strategies, diagnostics and more effective treatments.

**Description**:
The Radiation Biology and Oncology Group is involved in a large number of pre-clinical and clinical work related to the field of radiation oncology. There are a number of translational clinical trials performed in partnering Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals involving radiation and drug therapies for various cancer types.

The pre-clinical laboratory work focuses on high grade brain tumours including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas and glioblastomas, drug screening, tumour hypoxia and metabolism, circadian rhythms, radiation/drug testing including animal work.

The primary function of the position of the Technical Officer involves primarily collecting and processing tumour and blood specimens from patients enrolled in clinical trials. Additionally, the role involves assisting in the pre-clinical laboratory program at the Westmead Institute of Medical Research. The technical officer is required to successfully conduct experiments, analyse results, maintain smooth day to day running of the laboratory and collect/process clinical and blood samples from the affiliated hospitals.

**Key areas of responsibility include**:
Collection and processing of clinical blood and tumour specimens from clinical trials.
Assist the Research Scientists to ensure the smooth day to day running of the Translational Radiation Biology and Oncology Group under the direction of radiation biology program lead
Assisting with honours, masters, and PhD students, radiation oncology trainees as required within the group.
Planning and conduct of experiments according to GCP and the policies and procedures of the WIMR
Make independent decisions on routine issues and methods and recommend scientific approaches and solutions to others in the group.
Work between different laboratories including in collaborator institutes in Sydney.
Keep current in own area of scientific expertise and work to expand breadth of technical knowledge.
Attendance and presentation of results at other relevant meetings eg. WIMR, Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network research meetings
Performs work activities relevant to the role’s key accountabilities as approved by the Radiation Biology Program Lead.

**Skills and Experiences**:
**To be successful you will need**:

- An undergraduate degree in a biological science related field.
- Laboratory experience and/or collection and processing of clinical samples.
- Proven record of successfully conducting biological experiments and has sound technical expertise in techniques relevant to the field of cancer.
- Understanding of research governance, ethics and WHS requirements.
- It is desirable to have an honours qualification in biological sciences or cancer.

Why join WIMR?
- Be part of an organisation that has a strong foundation of encouraging curious, solution focused thinking and collaboration.
- The incredible pride that comes with supporting a team who are literally striving to change the world and save lives.
- Beautiful building incorporating professional cafe, bike storage facilities, showering facilities, world class equipment and facilities.
- Hybrid work arrangements.
- Close to public transport / on-site parking.
- NFP ability to salary sacrifices for tax benefits.
- Option for novated leasing.
- Paid parental leave program.
- Access to employee assistance program.