Molecular Biologist

Job Type: Temporary

Location: Westmead

Job Category: Health, Medical & Pharmaceutical

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.

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.

Bioinformatics and data analysis skills would be highly desirable including understanding and analysis of DNA/RNA sequencing, metabolomics, ChIP/ATAC sequencing. 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 histone/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 biological data gathered from cancer clinical and laboratory studies
- Conducting experiments investigating mechanisms of radiotherapy and radiation/drug interactions
- Conducting and analysis of genomic data including DNA/RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, CHIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, and proteomics/metabolomics data
- Assist other research scientists 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

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
To be successful in this role you must have the following:

- PhD in a relevant discipline such as molecular biology, cancer biology, bioinformatics, computational biology or related field
- DNA cloning, bacterial transformation, transfection & transduction, cellular screening, cellular culture, rt-PCR, gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 and shRNA, immunoprecipitation
- RNA (bulk and single cell) -/ChIP-/ATAC- sequencing, bioinformatics
- Strong programming and data analysis skills using Unix and languages such as R and/or Python, and/or Matlab
- Demonstrated experience in high-performance computing, including cloud computing

**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 e