Senior Research Assistant, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular biology

• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

• Collaborate on world class biotechnology research

• Access state-of-the-art facilities and a range of on-site services

• Join a team where your work genuinely makes an impact

• Based at our picturesque and vibrant St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity 

Engage as a Research Assistant within an established research group conducting vaccine development contract research for a small biotech - Vicebio. The research to be carried out includes rational design and molecular cloning of recombinant viral fusion proteins, protein expression, purification and protein characterisation. Research also involves animal immunizations, blood collection and analysis of humoral immune responses to vaccination.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Plan and conduct laboratory work within an established research group and larger consortium

• Conduct high quality experiments under the guidance of experienced post-doctoral researchers to achieve a well-defined set of project goals.

• Thorough recording of results using an electronic lab book format

• Standard procedures involving laboratory mice including immunisations, blood draws and sacrifice

Safety

• Ensures a high standard of research housekeeping, waste disposal, sample storage and chemical/specimen/sample inventory management

• Assists with developing a proactive safety culture and implement continuous improvement 

Research and administrative support

• Assists with drafting research documentation, including ethics and funding applications

• Undertakes literature searches and reviews

• Assists with routine team administration

• Assists with preparing reports, graphs, figures and presentations on research outcomes at different stages of the research cycle outcomes

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Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor

This role is subject to The University’s Code of Conduct

This is a Full-time, 100% FTE Fixed-term position through to 31 December 2024 at HEW 5, with the possibility of extension dependent on continuing project funding.

At HEW level 5, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,396.47 - $86,029.78, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,553.87 - $100,654.84 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.

About You  

• Completion of a relevant degree in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology or related field with subsequent experience in coordinating activities or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or training.

• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills with expertise in a wide range of specialist and general research techniques, including cloning, protein expression, purification, ELISA and mammalian cell culture

• Expertise in animal handling and research involving animals

• Detailed knowledge of legislative requirements and operating procedures for major areas of research and scientific safety such as quarantine procedures, waste disposal, labelling and risk assessment

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

• Ability to take instructions and receive feedback in a fast paced and high pressure environment.

• Well organised with thorough attention to detail in the recording of research methods and results

• Commitment to upholding the University’s values, and with the outstanding personal qualities of openness, respectfulness and integrity

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Keith Chappell, [email protected] For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity , LGBTQIA+ , cultural and/or linguistic , Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Tuesday 27 February 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number – R-35425). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for March.