Research Assistant

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a 1.0 FTE, one-year fixed term position, with the possibility of extension, in a split appointment between two close collaborators, A/Prof Megan Barnet and Dr Etienne Masle-Farquhar. This role provides exposure to a multidisciplinary and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, and project managers. It provides diverse opportunities for scientific and professional growth.

You will work with two well-financed, growing teams:
- Cancer Immunogenomics (0.5 FTE): Immunotherapy has significantly changed outcomes for patients with cancer, however, the majority of patients with metastatic cancer still do not respond to treatment and die from progressive disease. We prospectively recruited patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy to a clinical study and showed disproportionate mutation within a specific immune pathway. Now, we are partnering with a major pharmaceutical company to test an oral drug that blocks this pathway in mouse models of cancer. Our team has established a model to assess response of cancer cell lines to (1) intra-peritoneal immunotherapy and (2) external beam radiotherapy, with or without the additional drug. The aim of the project is to support progression of the drug to first-in-human trials.- Arthritis Immunogenomics (0.5 FTE): Arthritic diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide, with 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 and other samples - which are normally discarded during clinical procedures but can be repurposed as precious investigative resources. Our novel technologies are identifying biomarkers and pathogenic cellular or molecular pathways, to inform development of novel Biologics and therapies. This requires rigorous investigation of arthritis treatments in mouse models.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support our biobanking and pre-clinical mouse work, in a growing team dedicated to transforming understanding and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

**Salary**: Up to $87,000 + 14% superannuation + salary packaging (depending on experience)

Employment Type: 1-year fixed-term contract

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

Key responsibilities include:
0.5 FTE with Meg- Assisting: pre-clinical mouse studies of cancer, including tissue culture, tumour inoculation, animal monitoring, sedation, oral gavage, intra-peritoneal injections, radiation, harvest and biobanking. Flexible work hours for occasional weekend work an advantage.- Assisting: functional and genomics assays, including flow cytometry,microscopy, tissue culture, bulk or single-cell DNA, RNA and protein sequencing assays.

0.5 FTE with Etienne- Leading: pre-clinical mouse studies of arthritis, including colony management, mouse surgical procedures and monitoring during testing of novel therapies developed in collaboration between Arthritis Immunogenomics and the Garvan Biologics Platform.- Assisting: the receipt, processing and secure biobanking of clinical samples and associated metadata, including coordinating their receipt, distribution to internal and external service providers, and rigorous data management.- Assisting: flow cytometry, microscopy, tissue culture, bulk or single-cell DNA, RNA and protein sequencing assays.

Both teams:
- 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.

ABOUT YOU

The key skills and experience include:
- A strong passion for cancer and/or arthritis research, and an appreciation of how this can improve patient lives and benefit the community.- A Bachelor's Degree in a scientific discipline, with First Class Honours or equivalent.- 2 or more years of formal experience with mouse pre-clinical studies, and ideally with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and cell-culture experiments.- Experience with and rigo