Research Assistant

**Together we are making a difference for kids living with genetic disease.**

Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) was Australia’s first dedicated paediatric research facility and is now one of the world’s most highly regarded independent medical research organisations. Our research focuses on the four key areas impacting children’s health: cancer, genomics and genetic diseases, neurobiology, and embryology.

The Cell Signalling Unit at CMRI seeks two Research Assistants to support diverse laboratory research activities associated with the study of endocytosis molecular mechanisms and pharmacology. Both roles will work collaboratively as part of a dynamic research team, contributing to experimental work, day-to-day laboratory operations, and training of junior staff. Each role is aligned with a distinct technical focus.

**Work with a team of dedicated professionals**
We are looking for a Research Assistant to join our team to:

- Arrange, conduct, and support research experiments and projects both independently and as part of a team.
- Provide intellectual input into the development of original research concepts.
- Contribute to the general organization and management of the Cell Signalling Unit by undertaking tasks such as: conduct enzyme assays, analyse kinetic data, protein purification, bacterial expression of recombinant proteins, cell culture; fixed sample microscopy for high-content imaging; molecular cloning, transfection, transduction; as well as biochemical experiments in sample preparation for proteomics, SDS-PAGE, western blots; and data analysis.
- Provide assistance, guidance, and training to junior members of the research team, including supervision of students.
- Participate in shared tasks related to the operation of the laboratory.
- Undertake administrative duties relevant to research activities, including, but not limited to, preparation of research reports for publication, granting agencies and commercial partners.
- Actively participate in Group, Institute, and campus-wide research meetings and seminars.
- Contribute to the preparation of papers and reports to maintain a good publication record.
- Be aware of cutting-edge research techniques and develop and maintain contact with a collaborative group of scientists.

**A rewarding role in every way**
- Full Time role - 37.5 hours per week. 12 months Fixed Term Contract.
- Excellent not for profit tax benefits
- A flexible and supportive work environment where everyone’s contribution is highly valued.

**What can you bring to this role?**

**Position 1: Enzyme Assays and High-Content Drug Screening. Primary Focus**:

- Execution and development of enzyme assays, related to drug development of endocytosis inhibitors, specifically targeting protein kinases and GTPases.
- High-content cell-based screening assays for analysis of endocytosis or related cellular processes.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Plan, conduct, and analyse enzyme kinetic experiments.
- Perform high-content imaging experiments using fixed cell microscopy.
- Maintain cell cultures for screening.
- Essential Skills and Experience:

- Demonstrated expertise in biochemical pharmacology: enzyme assay design, setup, and kinetic data analysis.
- Experience with high-content imaging methodologies.
- Strong practical skills in cell biology, molecular biology, and protein expression relevant to enzymatic research.

**Position 2: Protein Expression, Characterisation, and Proteomics. Primary Focus**:

- Studies on the mechanism of action of endocytosis inhibitors, including a protein kinase AAK1 and the GTPase dynamin
- Broad protein science with emphasis on recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterisation.
- Sample preparation for proteomics and entry-level bioinformatics analysis of proteomics datasets.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Clone, express, and purify recombinant proteins in bacterial and/or mammalian systems.
- Characterise proteins using biochemical and biophysical assays (e.g. SDS-PAGE, western blot, multiple assays).
- Prepare samples for mass spectrometry-based proteomic workflows.
- Perform basic bioinformatics analysis of proteomics data.
- Support development of new methods for protein analysis to identify drug binding sites.

**Essential Skills and Experience**:

- Proven ability with protein expression, purification techniques and methods development.
- Experience preparing samples for quantitative proteomics.
- Proficiency in managing and processing large biological or molecular datasets.
- Introduction to bioinformatics tools for proteomics analysis.

**Essential Criteria (Both Roles)**
- BSc (Hons) or equivalent in biomedical or biological sciences.
- Minimum 1-2 years laboratory research experience.
- Proficiency with computers, data analysis, and standard software tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving, and organisational ability.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Prior experienc