Research Support Officer - HIV Virology

Job no: 0058942
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School
Salary: UOM 5 – $76,886 - $88,312 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 - Department of Infectious Diseases
The Department of Infectious Diseases is a recently established department of the Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences that is based at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute). Research within the department encompasses infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, influenza, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted infections, skin pathogens and emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Our researchers come from diverse backgrounds, including discovery research and basic scientists, clinician researchers, epidemiologists, public health physicians and microbiologists.

About the Role
The Research Support Officer will conduct laboratory research under the supervision of Dr Michael Roche in the laboratory of Professor Sharon Lewin’s research team at the Doherty Institute. The appointee will be a member of the team working on National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded projects to define the HIV reservoir in the central nervous system and to develop organotypic cultures for the characterisation of viral infection in the central nervous system.

The successful candidate will be expected to be able to design, execute and analyse research experiments.

Responsibilities include:

• Carry out experiments accurately including performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), running gel electrophoresis and sequencing DNA products.
• Contribute to the day to day organisation of the laboratory including ordering reagents, maintenance of equipment and maintaining stocks of reagents.
• Maintain and culture cell lines under sterile conditions.
• Provide research support for research scientists and students in the laboratory by undertaking experimental and technical activities as requested.

About You
You possess excellent time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, as well as high level oral and written communication skills and proven attention to detail. 

You will also have:

• Completion of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science degree (with honours).
• Demonstrated willingness to develop effective research skills and to undertake tasks with increased autonomy.
• Proven ability to work with senior researchers and help design, execute and analyse experiments in a timely manner.
• Sound Knowledge in cell culture and basic molecular techniques.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a PC2 environment.

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

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 submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

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] .

Position Description