Research Assistant

An excellent opportunity is available for a Research Assistant to join the WEHI Antibody Facility within the Advanced Technology and Biology Division at Australia's pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the Position

The WEHI Antibody Facility aims to support WEHI researchers and provide bespoke target biologics to boost the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. This position will be located at WEHI's Bundoora site where the facility is located. You may be required to travel to WEHI's Parkville campus.

The successful applicant will have experience in multiple aspects of cell culture, protein biochemistry, including molecular biology, recombinant protein expression, purification, biochemical and biophysical methods. Prior experience with cell culture and expression systems for recombinant protein production is required.

The role of the Research Assistant is to contribute to the research effort and technical aspects developed within the Antibody Facility. The appointee is expected to be self-motivated and to have excellent organisation and communication skills. The appointee will work closely with the Protein Production Facility and operate under the direction of the Head of the Protein Production Facility.

Selection Criteria

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• A BSc/BBiomedSc with Honours in an appropriate area of study, or relevant work experience, preferably in Protein Biochemistry
• Demonstrated broad range of protein biochemical skills (recombinant protein expression and purification using AKTA systems)
• Experience in tissue culture across various cell lines
• Demonstrated experience in bacterial, insect or mammalian expression systems
• Demonstrated experience in protein purification techniques
• Demonstrated ability in managing laboratory equipment
• Demonstrated ability and potential for excellence and productivity in research

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in all expression systems established at the facility (bacterial, mammalian and insect)
• Experience in large-scale protein expression and purification
• Experience in biophysical methods for protein characterisation

Personal Qualities:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to execute experiments accurately and with high competence
• Adhere to timelines and defined flowchart procedures
• Adaptable and willing to learn new systems and procedures as required
• Work effectively within a team and individually
• Strong multi-tasking, time management and organisational skills
• Accurate recording of results

Terms of Appointment

This position is available for one year in a full time capacity. Salary is Research Support Employee Level 5 ($82,018 - $94,209). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Dr Marija Dramicanin -

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: Wednesday 3 December 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.