Molecular Biologist in Radiation Biology: Centre

**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**:
An exciting position as a molecular biologist exists within the Translational Radiation Biology and Oncology Group. The position will primarily support the research and data analysis of the laboratory and clinical cancer research program at Westmead Institute of Medical Research.

The group is involved in numerous basic/translational research and clinical trials across multiple cancer types, as well as active pre-clinical radiation and drug testing pipeline in adult and paediatric brain tumours. A particular focus is investigating the interactions between hypoxia, metabolism and epigenetics changes in adult and paediatric brain cancers.

This role provides opportunities to collaborate with many other groups in Australia including our partners in Charles Perkins Centre and internationally. There is potential for career development in leading and developing independent projects and supervising Honours and/or PhD students.

Major Responsibilities

**Key areas of responsibility include**:
Assist in the design, conduct and analysis of experimental data gathered from laboratory studies
Conducting experiments investigating mechanisms of radiotherapy and radiation/drug interactions
Conducting experiments involving the latest molecular biological techniques
Assist Research Scientist 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 supervision of Honours, Masters, and PhD students and radiation oncology trainees as required
Planning and conducting experiments according to GCP and the policies and procedures of WIMR
Make independent decisions on routine issues and methods, then recommend scientific approaches and solutions to others in the group
Work between different laboratories including in collaborator institutes
Collection and processing of clinical blood and tumour specimens
Ensure knowledge in area of scientific expertise is current, and commitment to expand breadth of technical knowledge
Preparation of abstracts, publications, and presentation of results
Attendance and presentation of results at relevant meetings/symposiums/conferences
Providing support to philanthropic initiatives

**Skills and Experiences**:
To be successful in this role, it is desirable to have the following:

- PhD in a relevant discipline of medical science, such as molecular biology, cancer biology.
- Mammalian culture (culture of immortalised cancer cell lines and patient-derived cancer cells) and basic molecular biology skills (western blotting, PCR, flowcytometry).
- Advanced molecular biology skills (DNA cloning, bacterial transformation, transfection & transduction, gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 and shRNA
- Analysis of epigenetic alternation (DNA methylation, DNA-protein interaction, chromatin accessibility)
- Experience in next generation sequencing (RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, CHIP-seq)
- Proven track record of high impact publications and competitive grants
- 2 or more years of post-doctoral experience
- Demonstrated ability to form successful collaborative links with other teams
- Understanding of research governance, ethics and WHS requirements

Why Should you work with 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 sacrifice for tax benefits
Option for novated leasing
Paid parental leave program
Access to employee assistance program