Research Assistant

Contribute to & support research activities in Lifeblood’s R&D program
3 year full-time, fixed-term opportunity
Brisbane Processing Centre, Kelvin Grove, QLD
This is your opportunity to find a life-giving purpose
**As an organisation our purpose is simple**: to give life. It’s at the centre of everything we do. As part of the Lifeblood team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to this life-giving purpose and grow your career. We’re committed to ensuring you have the ability to innovate, learn new skills, and embrace new challenges - all while making a difference in the lives of countless others.
Lifeblood has an inspiring opportunity for you
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Assistant to work in the cellular therapy research group within the Research & Development program at Lifeblood.
The aim of the laboratory is twofold; to build capacity in the provision of quality allogeneic cellular therapy starting materials for Australia and to grow red blood cells in vitro for use in diagnostics and, ultimately, therapeutics for people with rare blood groups.
Your primary role will be to provide team members with tissue culture support by maintaining laboratory tissue culture reagent stocks, isolating primary blood cells, using assays to characterise these cells further and also growing red blood cells from haematopoietic stem cells.
You will also participate in research activities to increase the basic understanding of primary blood cells, red blood cell development and biology.
Sound interesting? Here’s what we’re looking for;
- Completion of a degree level qualification in science (with Honours); or completion of a Bachelor/Diploma of Science degree with relevant work experience
- Experience of tissue culture techniques; ideally with primary cells
- Demonstrable ability to maintain quality and excellent attention to detail
- Strong teamwork ethic, eager to support members of the team and willingness to contribute to the collective team effort
- Ability to follow instructions accurately and efficiently, correctly interpret results and work without supervision
- Excellent organisational skills and record keeping
- Good communication skills, confident in disseminating information and reporting progress to colleagues in an open and timely manner
- Enthusiastic and flexible approach
- Commitment to research that can be translated into practical outcomes
- Experience in flow cytometry and microscopy are desirable.

This is a 3 year full-time, fixed-term role until November 2027
You will report to our Senior Research Fellow and will be based out of our Processing Centre in Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD.
Thrive in a diverse culture that cares for your wellbeing
At Lifeblood, we welcome different perspectives and backgrounds and we’re proud to foster an environment where people can come together to achieve their very best. That’s why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all - especially when it comes to your wellbeing. Every employee is unique and we’ve developed a range of initiatives to look after the varying needs of all our people.
As part of the Lifeblood team you’ll have access to a generous salary packaging program, plus a great range of rewards like discounts on insurance, groceries, food & beverage, department stores, travel, and more.
Next steps
If selected, you’ll be required to complete a number of background checks — don’t worry, we’ll help you through this process.