Research Assistant

• Protein Expression Facility

• $71k - $75k + 17% super + leave loading

• Broaden your career within one of QLD's largest employers

• Accelerate research with frontier protein technologies.

• Full time position based at our 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 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 including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight

• 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  

The Protein Expression Facility (PEF) at the University of Queensland is at the forefront of protein research, offering a comprehensive range of services, technologies, and training. Specialising in molecular engineering, protein production, purification, and analytical characterisation, PEF has a rich history of collaboration across academia, industry, and government sectors. Known for our dedication to service excellence, innovation, and teamwork, PEF has earned multiple accolades and is committed to engaging, informing, and innovating to support ground-breaking research outcomes. Embracing diversity, creativity, and a culture of continuous learning and personal growth, PEF is an ideal place to advance your career in protein technology and research.

As a Research Assistant within the Protein Expression Facility, you will play a critical role in supporting a team of experts dedicated to delivering advanced protein research services. This position offers the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, applying and enhancing frontier protein technologies to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support recombinant protein production projects involving molecular engineering, protein expression, purification, and protein characterisation with buffer and media preparation.

• Assist with routine analysis such as Gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, and Western blot.

• Laboratory housekeeping including record keeping, dishwashing, stock control, equipment management and stock preparation.

• Contribute to monitoring and documentation of laboratory safety, risk management and biosafety.

About You

• Completion of a degree in relevant area; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

• Demonstrated proficiency in buffer and media preparation with experience in routine analysis such as Gel Electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, and Western Blot.

• Demonstrated ability to follow protocols and instructions to perform work within a laboratory and team environment.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills to perform tasks within limited timeframes.

• Attention to detail to ensure all work is carried out safely and to the highest standard.

• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.

• Prior experience in recombinant protein expression and purification is desirable but not essential.

This is a full time, fixed term position until December 2025.   

At HEW level 4, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $71,640 - $75,957, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $83,818 - $88,870 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year

Want to Apply? 

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

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section.  

• Resume 

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

Applications close Thursday, 11 April 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-30353).

At UQ, our strength lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion , fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.

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.

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