Research Assistant: Transplant and Renal

**Introduction**:
The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) is one of the largest medical research institutes in Australia. Our Institute conducts multi-disciplinary research spanning from infection and immunity; cancer; liver and metabolic; neuroscience and vision and cardio-respiratory research. Combining these research themes, our vision is to tackle the most important health issues by progressing our scientific discoveries into cures and preventions that improve global health. WIMR is proudly affiliated with The University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital.

**Description**:
The Research Assistant will be focused on identifying donor and recipient gene pathway in renal transplantation fibrosis and development of strategies for potential therapy. They will coordinate development of transplantation animal models, genotyping and phenotyping for transgenic animals used for transplantation animal model and will be responsible for per
- and post-operative care and monitoring of animals, histological and immunological analysis for experimental studies as well as tissue and cell culture.

This is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months.

**Major Responsibilities**:
Animal Transplantation Models - Pre
- and Post-Operative Care

Small animal monitoring and cares including administration of medications and anaesthesia.
Genotyping and phenotyping transgenic animals
Performing investigative procedures such as collect and process blood and tissue samples
Completing and updating animal research record

Multiple Immunological and Molecular Biology Laboratory Skills

Preparing and maintaining cell & tissue culture.
Isolating lymphocytes from blood, lymph organs, graft infiltrating cells
Performing mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)
Performing T cells proliferation assay and suppressive assay
Performing Flow cytometry analysis,
Preparing cells for cell sorting
Performing Enzyme-linked immunospot assays
Performing histology and immunohistochemistry.
Performing or assisting immunofluorescence microscopy,
Performing DNA and RNA extraction from PB, biopsies, spleen, lymph node and urine
Performing RT-PCR,
Performing Western blotting, ELIspot and other experimental procedures.

**Performing cloning PCR products**: purification of PCR products, ligation and transformation

Other Duties

Preparing laboratory reagents and cell culture media
Recording research data and analysing research data
Maintaining good communication with the principal investigators
Presenting work undertaken at weekly group meetings and conference
Operating various laboratory equipment and laboratory duty

**Skills and Experiences**:
**To be successful in this role, you will have**:

- MSc, BSc or equivalent qualifications or experience
- Previous experience with lab experiments
- Previous experience with transplant animal models
- Previous experience within a research project and in a team environment
- Experience with animal transplantation models, capability to undertake i.p and i.v injection for small animals and perform post-operative care.
- Ability to perform histopathology and immunohistochemistry such as processing and embedding tissue, cutting paraffin blocks, staining of paraffin and cryo preserved slides.
- Ability to perform molecular techniques e.g. agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA and RNA sample preparation and PCR
- Ability to perform flow cytometry analysis, mixed lymphocyte reaction, T cells proliferation and suppression assay.

Benefits of working for The Westmead Institute for Medical Research
- Competitive salary + salary packaging benefits for a NFP
- Convenient location close to Westmead Station
- Supportive culture
- Excellent facilities in the Westmead Medical Precinct

Why would 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

Salary $60,000 to $70,000 plus superannuation. As a for-purpose / not for profit institute there is the ability to salary package $15,900 tax free