Research Officer

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. Marcia Munoz leads the Imaging and Inflammation Group within the Immunometabolism Laboratory at the Garvan Institute. This is a multidisciplinary team that works closely with national and international collaborators. This postdoctoral position, funded by a new NHMRC Ideas grant, seeks to understand the mechanisms of autoinflammatory disease in Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD), a genetic disorder caused by defects in the mevalonate and sterol biosynthesis pathway. The disease presents in early childhood and is characterised by recurrent and severe flares of systemic inflammation, including early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). How deficiencies in this metabolic pathway cause autoinflammation, and IBD-like disease, remains largely unknown. Furthermore, there are no specific treatments for this potentially fatal disorder.

This project seeks to unravel the mechanisms underpinning gut inflammation in MKD and develop a treatment alternative using unique genetic mouse models of the disease that we have recently developed. Lab studies will primarily involve mouse models, including culturing primary cells and organoids and the occasional processing of human tissue and blood samples. It will involve state of the art imaging technologies, including high resolution microscopy of fixed and live tissues as well as intravital imaging; multi-colour flow cytometry; single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, and a variety of molecular biology techniques including gene expression by real time PCR, western blotting and in vitro biochemical enzyme assays.

The Research Officer, Level 1 is accountable for conducting independent experiments within their Research Platform in a collaborative framework with their supervisor. In principle, an RO conducts research work under guidance from a more senior scientist and they would be demonstrating increasing independence as they progress from RO1 to RO3.

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

Employment Type: 2 year term contract with possibility to extend

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 RESPONSIBILITIES

RESEARCH OFFICER - LEVEL 1
Performs under guidance

An RO1 would conduct original research under limited supervision, and be required to make contributions in more than one of the following areas:
Completion of research projects in an efficient and timely manner, with outcomes published under joint authorship in peer-reviewed journals- Contribution to team and Garvan research projects- Presentation of original research at national/ international scientific conferences, and as invited to seminars locally and/or nationally- Co-supervision and mentoring of students and junior research staff- Provision of supervisory assistance in preparation of research grant proposals, including contribution of data- Contribution to improvements in techniques, quantitative methods and quality control

ABOUT YOU

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREDdesirable).- Multicolour flow cytometry skills (highly desirable).- Microscopy/imaging (desirable)- Animal handling (essential).- Molecular biology techniques e.g. RNA isolation, real time PCR, RNA-seq.- Biochemistry techniques e.g. western blotting, enzyme assays, metabolomics.- Experience of cell and/or organoid culture.- Histology and immunocytochemistry (highly desirable).- Bioinformatics knowledge (desirable).- Ability to plan, co-ordinate and implement experiments (essential).- Excellent oral and written communication skills (essential).

Research Officers at the Garvan Institute are expected to possess the following attributes:
Strong commitment to quality.- Team-focused approach.- High degree of flexibility, and ability to follow instructions when required.- Time management skills and appropriate prioritisation of workload.- Excell