Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• 2-year fixed term, full time position 1.0 EFT
• Level A Research Technologist: 1RA6-1RA10
• $99, $115,527.48 base + salary packaging + superannuation + 5-weeks annul leave

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the team

The Goel Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to lead key projects relating to cell cycle biology and therapy-induced senescence in cancer.

Under the direction of A/Prof Shom Goel, a medical oncologist and laboratory head, the Goel Lab positions itself at the intersection of cell cycle biology, epigenetics, and tumour immunology in cancer. Specifically, we study the cell cycle machinery and how it influences cancer biology in both cancer cells and stromal cells and leverage our discoveries to design new drug therapies for cancer.

We have developed several new transgenic mouse models of cancer which have proven valuable for uncovering new mechanisms of drug activity, and our work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature, Cancer Cell, Cancer Discovery, and Nature Cancer. Importantly, several of our discoveries have translated into large-scale clinical trials.

About the role

This is a 2 year fixed-term role, with the possibility of extension depending on funding. It is a full-time position. 

At present, the Goel lab is focused on addressing some of the fundamental unanswered questions relating to tumour dormancy and therapy-induced senescence in cancer.The Postdoctoral Research Fellow is responsible for overseeing projects under the direction of A/Prof Shom Goel within the Goel Laboratory at Peter Mac. The position exists to continue important work in the space of therapy induced senescence as other related work in this space.

About you

The successful candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills whilst they will demonstrate flexibility and the ability to develop new skills and work with feedback.

You'll bring with you:

• PhD in cancer biology and therapeutics,
• Strong track record in cancer research exemplified by a broad knowledge of cancer biology
• Ability to work well within a research team exemplified by collegiality, diligence, and accountability
• Extensive experience with either (i) wet lab methodology relevant to cancer biology and cancer epigenetics or (ii) bio-informatic methods to interrogate biological questions in cancer.
• High level organisational and time management skills, including punctuality
• Ability to keep abreast of the relevant scientific literature whilst carrying out laboratory work, and to integrate these tasks to develop new scientific questions to be addressed in the lab

Our benefits

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

• Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Discounted health insurance and eye care
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
• Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
• Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
• Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
• Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading & purchased leave options
• Flexible, hybrid working practices

Inclusion and belonging

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

Join us

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Hiring Manager: Zoe Gordon

Contact Number:

Email:

Applications Close: 20 November 2025
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Position Summary

Under the direction of A/Prof Shom Goel, a medical oncologist and laboratory head, the Goel Lab positions itself at the intersection of cell cycle biology, epigenetics, and tumour immunology in cancer. Specifically, we study the cell cycle machinery and how it influences cancer biology in both cancer cells and stromal cells and leverage our discoveries to design new drug therapies for cancer.

We have developed several new transgenic mouse models of cancer which have proven valuable for uncovering new mechanisms of drug activity, and our work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature, Cancer Cell, Cancer Discovery, and Nature Cancer. Importantly, several of our discoveries have translated into large-scale clinical trials. At present, the Goel lab is focused on addressing some of the fundamental unanswered questions relating to tumour dormancy and therapy-induced senescence in cancer.The Postdoctoral Research Fellow is responsible for overseeing projects under the direction of A/Prof Shom Goel within the Goel Laboratory at Peter Mac. The position exists to continue important work in the space of therapy induced senescence as other related work in this space.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement

Classification or Salary Range

Level A: Dependant on qualifications

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category A

Key Relationships

Internal

• Supervisor: A/Prof Shom Goel
• Goel lab staff and students
• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Program
• Other research laboratory staff and students
• Core research facilities staff and students
• Other Peter Mac staff and students

External

• Staff from other research institutions and hospitals
• External collaborators
• Suppliers

Skills

Essential Requirements

• PhD in cancer biology and therapeutics,
• Strong track record in cancer research exemplified by a broad knowledge of cancer biology
• Ability to work well within a research team exemplified by collegiality, diligence, and accountability
• Extensive experience with either (i) wet lab methodology relevant to cancer biology and cancer epigenetics or (ii) bio-informatic methods to interrogate biological questions in cancer.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Flexibility, ability to develop new skills and work with feedback
• High level organisational and time management skills, including punctuality
• Ability to keep abreast of the relevant scientific literature whilst carrying out laboratory work, and to integrate these tasks to develop new scientific questions to be addressed in the lab

Desireable Requirements

• Experience with bio-informatic analysis of RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and ChIP-seq datasets
• Outstanding academic track record
• Desire to pursue cancer research long-term
• Experience with digital image analysis including Image J
• Basic programming skills using R
• Basic knowledge of principles of data interpretation including statistical analysis

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators

1. Conducts rigorous, valid and ethical research both independently and as part of the laboratory team

• Competently carries out experiments that fulfil the aims of the projects
• Excellent technical skills and eye for detail
• Accurate analysis and interpretation of experiment results 
• Willingness to learn and follow instructions
• Ability to work independently
• Regularly demonstrates proactive and innovative thinking engaging with the group leader and laboratory in the pursuit of excellence
• Regular attendance and contribution at group and program meetings
• High level of integrity and ethics
• Complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner 
• Excellent record-keeping skills

2. Communication of research outcomes

• Writes and leads the publication of scientific papers
• Presentation of research results at lab meetings
• Participation in discussions, lab and program meetings
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory as well as the broader scientific community 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

3. Input into the administrative and management functions of the laboratory, including supervision of staff and students

• Contributes to discussions, lab, hub and program meetings
• Provides help and regular feedback to staff and students
• Participates in multi-directional mentorship
• Leads appropriate research-based grant and fellowship applications

4. Foster good working relationships with colleagues

• Excellent working relationships with others both within the laboratory and within the broader community in health and science
• Ability to work in a team
• Proactively pursues relevant collaborations and manages these relationships effectively to reach shared goals
• Willingness to help others in lab as required

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

• Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
• Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
• We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

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