Full time, fixed term for 12 months with a possibility of extension
Exciting opportunity to be a Research Assistant with the School of Medical Sciences in the Charles Perkins Centre
Base Salary from $86,511 + 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The School of Medical Sciences is looking for an enthusiastic Research Assistant to join the NeuroMolecular Discovery Group to support research investigating neurodegenerative diseases. The position will be based in the Charles Perkins Centre, a state-of-the-art research facility located on the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus.
The NeuroMolecular Discovery Group
The lab, led by Dr. Rebecca San Gil, is dedicated to discovering genes and proteins with therapeutic potential to combat neurodegenerative diseases, particularly motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia. This role presents an opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new laboratory and work together with a team of motivated individuals to develop novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
The role
The key responsibilities of the Research Assistant will include:
1. Contributing to the design and development of research protocols, ensuring timely execution of research activities.
2. Assisting with data collection and analysis, ensuring data quality and accuracy.
3. Coordinating with the team to produce quality reports, verify data accuracy within university systems, and actively engage in compliance initiatives to uphold ethics and biosafety regulations.
4. Keeping clear and accurate records of experimental methodology and results and assisting with effective record keeping and data management using a laboratory notebook or digital research notebook.
5. Purchasing chemicals, reagents, and consumables, ensuring appropriate storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals, reagents, and samples/specimens. Maintenance of lab and university inventories.
6. Undertaking laboratory research including bacterial culture and mammalian cell culture and transfection, including the differentiation and culture of neurons from human iPSC lines.
7. Utilizing techniques such as immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy (confocal and high content), flow cytometry, and qPCR.
About you
Bachelor of Science (Honours) with major or minor in cellular and molecular biology or an equivalent combination of relevant research experience and/or education/training.
Expertise in cell culture of immortalised cell lines, culture of iPSC-derived human neurons, transfection of cells/neuron with plasmid DNA, cell lysis and protein extraction, and RNA purification.
Experience with preparation of cells/neuron for immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy (including confocal microscopy), immunoblotting, qPCR, and/or flow cytometry.
Ability to work independently and to multi-task experiments while meeting timelines; self-motivated and independent thinking with enthusiasm to achieve research goals; demonstrated capacity to work effectively both with or without direct supervision and as part of a team.
Excellent communication, record-keeping, and organisational skills.
Ability and willingness to learn new techniques and optimise experimental approaches.
Awareness of laboratory safety and occupational health and safety protocols, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies, and protocols.
Experience in designing plasmid DNA constructs, and an understanding of concepts in CRISPR gene editing/knockout/activation.
Experience using software for the statistical analysis and visualisation of data (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R Studio).
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires valid work rights for Australia.
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email at.
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