Research Officer (2 Positions Available)

Job no: 0057384 (2 x positions available)
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term for 2 years 
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Salary: Level A – $77,171 – $104,717 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the Department of Microbiology and Immunology

http://www.microbiol.unimelb.edu.au/ and http://bsac.unimelb.edu.au/ .

The Department comprises more than 120 academic staff, including 25 full professors, 80 graduate students and around 35 research groups that are actively involved in microbiology and immunology research and teaching. The Department prides itself on offering world-class training in microbiology and immunology led by teaching specialists and teaching-research academics. This research-led teaching in infection and immunity provides superb training for undergraduate and graduate students alike. The Department is also home to the Victorian Public Health Laboratory for Microbiology, known as the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit (MDU), which provides advice and services in public health microbiology.  Perhaps most notably, over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, MDU has developed a robust and rapid pipeline for sequencing coronavirus which has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the spread of the virus through the community.

About the Roles
The Research Officers will participate in research programs that aim to understand how to optimally elicit broad and protective immunity against viral pathogens, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

The program will include multiple positions as follows:

Research Officer 1

Chief Investigators: Professor Stephen Kent and Dr Adam Wheatley

This position will investigate aspects of immune imprinting and antibody feedback that may be addressed by rational vaccine design, utilising murine models and human clinical samples.

Responsibilities include:

• Participating in research independently and as a member of a research team
• The production of conference and seminar papers and publications
• Contributing to teaching, training, scientific mentoring and supervision of students and new laboratory staff as required
• Contributing to the preparation of reports, manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

About You
You will be a keen problem solver who has the ability to expertly apply research methodologies and quantitative/qualitative data analysis. Your excellent communication skills will enable you to effectively collaborate and engage.

You will also have:

• A PhD or working towards completion in immunology and/or virology
• Substantial experience in humoral or cellular immunology and/or virology
• Substantial experience in flow cytometry and ELISA-based assays
• Substantial experience in performing laboratory mouse studies, including aspects of animal handling, injections, infection models and organ retrieval.
• Demonstrated track record in independent and team-based research in virology/immunology.

The program will include multiple positions as follows:

Research Officer 2

Chief Investigators: Professor Stephen Kent, Dr Jennifer Juno and Dr Adam Wheatley

This position aims to understand how to optimally elicit broad and protective immunity against viral pathogens, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. In particular, the candidate will investigate mechanisms by which T cells can support or regulate humoral immune responses following vaccination or infection.

Responsibilities include:

• Participating in research independently and as a member of a research team
• The production of conference and seminar papers and publications
• Contributing to teaching, training, scientific mentoring and supervision of students and new laboratory staff as required
• Contributing to the preparation of reports, manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

About You
You will be a keen problem solver who has the ability to expertly apply research methodologies and quantitative/qualitative data analysis. Your excellent communication skills will enable you to effectively collaborate and engage.

You will also have:

• A PhD or working towards completion in immunology and/or virology
• Substantial experience in humoral or cellular immunology and/or virology
• Demonstrated track record in independent and team-based research in virology/immunology.
• Sound knowledge of biosafety issues in handling infectious agents

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] .

Applications close: 16 February 2023 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time

Position description 1:   Research_Officer1_PD.pdf

Position description 2:   Research_Officer2_PD.pdf