Research Scientist

Full-Time, 12 Month Contract

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

The Lysosomal Health in Ageing team in the Hopwood Centre conducts fundamental discovery science and clinical studies that examine the lysosomal system and its contribution to disorders of ageing, such as dementia. The team is seeking a Research Scientist to develop and validate in vivo systems of lysosomal system inhibition and activity measurement, with a focus on genetic systems of lysosome inhibition in tumour cells.

About the Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop in vitro protocols for lysosomal inhibition in tumour cells using transfection and lentiviral delivery of over-expression and shRNA or CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems.
• Develop alternative systems and technologies if inducible lysosomal inhibition cannot be achieved using conventional molecular techniques.
• Contribute to activities aimed at developing and improving measurement of the lysosomal system.
• Apply in vitro system(s) into mouse tumour models.
• Analyse, interpret and report data in a timely manner.
• Actively contribute to the conceptualisation and implementation of research directions based on experimental outcomes.
• Prepare publication-ready manuscripts, ethics applications, presentations, and reports, in a timely manner.
• Identify and resolve analytical problems.
• Maintain laboratory records and databases in a timely, accurate, legible and orderly manner, and provide these records for regular inspection.
• Review, analyse and apply relevant literature to research area.
• Train staff and students in relevant techniques and methods, as required.

About You

• The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:
• BSc in Biochemistry or relevant field; PhD in biochemistry or relevant field is highly desirable
• Experience in cell biology.
• Experience in cell culture and biochemical techniques, such as transfection, transduction, western blotting, and fluorescence imaging.
• Working knowledge of lysosomal biochemistry is highly desirable.
• Ability and willingness to work with small laboratory animals and handle human blood.
• A level of physical health commensurate with working with small animals.
• Knowledge of relevant laboratory instrumentation, analytical procedures, data manipulation, and calculations.
• Able to develop, establish and validate methods, and accurately analyse experimental data.
• Able to utilise and apply relevant scientific literature.
• Able to plan and execute experiments in a scientifically and ethically sound manner.
• Able to apply excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work may be required.
• Vaccinations appropriate to working with human blood.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community.  Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact A/Professor Tim Sargeant at

Applications close: 31 October 2025

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is found prior to the close date.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply