Research Assistant

An excellent opportunity is available for a Research Assistant to join the Wickramasinghe Lab in the Genetics and Gene Regulation Division at Australia's pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the position

The Wickramasinghe Lab leverages their curiosity driven work on export of RNA from the nucleus to develop new RNA targeting therapies to treat cancer. We ask biological questions of fundamental importance. To achieve this the Wickramasinghe Lab uses a multidisciplinary approach encompassing both fundamental RNA biology and translational biology to make discoveries of lasting impact. These include uncovering how circular RNAs are exported from the nucleus (Ngo et al., Nature, 2024) and uncovering novel mechanisms of mRNA export (Williams et al., Molecular Cell,

The Wickramasinghe lab is interested in many aspects of RNA biology, including RNA splicing, processing and export. We are interested in how transcription is coupled to mRNA export and how RNAs are transported within the nucleus through different nuclear domains.

While the Wickramasinghe lab is unashamedly fundamental in nature, our efforts to develop first-in-class inhibitors of mRNA export to treat cancer have resulted in the spin-out of a company with Professor Guillaume Lessene, exteRNA, with significant venture capital funding.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and supportive research team (1 PhD student, 6 post-doctoral researchers). They will benefit from an extensive network of local and international collaborators across Australia, Europe and the US. They will have the opportunity to establish and drive, as well as contribute to collaborative research projects across the lab. They will also be expected to provide organisational and technical support for the Wickramasinghe Lab. They will be primarily responsible for general lab organisation and maintenance.

Key Selection Criteria

Personal qualities:

• Outstanding interpersonal communication and leadership skills, with an open, direct and diplomatic approach, including the ability to liaise, mediate and influence at all levels, and write for publication and presentation of research at conferences
• Ability to foster collaborative and productive relationships with multidisciplinary teams.
• High level of energy, enthusiasm and initiative including a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Able to reason through problems and demonstrate an ability to introduce improved and innovative ways of driving projects forward.

Knowledge and skills:

• A BSc with Honours or Masters in molecular, biochemistry and/or cellular biology
• Research experience in molecular biology or a related discipline.
• An outstanding academic record that has led to impactful publications
• High level of expertise in molecular and cell biology approaches including RNA based approaches, microscopy (high-throughput as well as confocal), and general molecular biology techniques.
• Rigorous, with attention to detail.
• Proven organisational skills and accurate record keeping.

Terms of appointment

This position is available for 2 years in a full time capacity. Salary is Research Support Employee (RSE) Level 5 ($82,108-$94,209). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries are encouraged and can be directed to Vihandha Wickramasinghe -

A position description is available here.

How to Apply

Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 16 October 2025

WEHI - Brighter together

WEHI is where the world's brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally. We are a community of researchers, students and professional service staff who work towards achieving discoveries that improve human health. We are driven by collaboration, curiosity and creativity. We are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world. We are WEHI. We are brighter together.

WEHI's commitment to diversity and inclusion

At WEHI we strive to foster a flexible working environment that encourages individual differences and promotes collaboration and creativity. We recognise that talent does not sit within a single identifiable group in our society and that WEHI's ability to shape contemporary scientific thinking and deliver leading professional services relies on a diversity of thought within our organisation. Our action to promote gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and we offer a range of support for women researchers.

Our commitment to celebrating diversity and addressing inequities is further demonstrated through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Gender Action Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and our WE-Pride network for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. We actively encourage applications from, people with a disability, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people and people with diverse genders and sexualities. Should you require support during the recruitment process due to special needs or consideration, please contact the People and Culture team.

WEHI's commitment to Indigenous employment

WEHI is working to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be engaged at the scientific frontier, making exciting discoveries and decisions about the future of health in this country, and part of a leading professional services workforce supporting the realisation of these discoveries. We are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace and offering career development and leadership opportunities to First Nations staff and students. We strongly encourage any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.