Research Associate

• Flexible working options considered.
• 26 weeks paid parental leave after one year and 36 weeks after five years continuous service, regardless of gender.
• 4 weeks annual leave with the option to purchase more.
• 13 weeks long service leave after seven/ten years.
• Salary packaging options.
• 17% superannuation, with the option to reduce to the minimum super guarantee.
• 25% off UWA full fee courses, discounted health insurance, and convenient on-campus childcare options.
• Incremental progression based on 12 months continuous service.

Job no: 521306

Work type: Full Time

Location: Crawley

Categories: Science

School of Molecular Sciences

• Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis for two years.
• Base salary range: Level A, Step 8, $112,371 p.a. plus 17% superannuation.

About the area

The School of Molecular Sciences is home to the Structural Biology group of Prof Charlie Bond, alongside colleagues in chemistry, biochemistry and genetics, including Prof Ian Small. The Bond and Small groups collaborate on an Australian Research Council Discovery Project on structure-function studies of pentatricopeptide repeat proteins, an area where they have had consistent national competitive grant funding for 13 years.

The School is located in the Bayliss Building, on the main Crawley campus of the University of Western Australia, a purpose built facility with state of the art research infrastructure for all aspects of molecular sciences based research. The campus is located in Perth, Western Australia, one of the most liveable cities on the planet.

About the opportunity

• Design, overexpress, purify, and structurally analyse variant pentatricopeptide repeat proteins for controlled enzymatic RNA modification using cryo electron microscopy and crystallography.
• Work closely with project members on experimental design, data interpretation, and supervise students on a day-to-day basis.
• Collaborate with staff at the Centre for Microscopy and Analysis and actively participate in the CryoEM User Group.

About you

• A PhD in Structural Biology or a related discipline.
• Expertise in standard molecular biology and recombinant protein expression and purification methods.
• Expertise in sample preparation, data collection and structure analysis using cryoelectron microscopy (single particle analysis).
• Track record (relative to opportunity) of reporting research as evidenced by peer reviewed journal articles published in respected scholarly journals.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an inclusive collaborative team.

Position description: PD [Research Associate (Structural Biology)] [521306].pdf

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Professor Charlie Bond at

How to apply

Please apply online via the Apply Now button and address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit Addressing the selection criteria.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Monday, 27 October 2025

This position is open to international applicants.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia's top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.

Advertised: 19 Sep 2025 W. Australia Standard Time

Applications close: 27 Oct 2025 W. Australia Standard Time