Senior Research Assistant

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience

• Partner with people educating future generations & solving the world’s problems

• Belong to a vibrant community where your work genuinely makes an impact 

• Plan for your future with a generous 17% superannuation allowance

• Based at The Prince Charles Hospital

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 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 

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Research Assistant to provide technical support for the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) based at The Prince Charles Hospital. The successful applicant will contribute to multiple research projects and play a central role in the administration and organisation of the group. CCRG is a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of clinicians, scientists, engineers, nurses and allied health professionals dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of critical illness. The group has developed pre-clinical (ovine) models for mechanistic studies to advance understanding of critical illness and patient care.

Responsibilities

• Under general direction from senior staff set-up, monitor and conduct experiments.

• Provide assistance to post-doctoral researchers, postgraduate students and other staff with their laboratory experiments.

• Assist with labelling, set-up and processing of large animal model biological samples (out of business hours, when required).

• Assist with blood bag collection, processing and cross-matching of pre-clinical experimental animals.

• Conduct molecular biology studies (RNA extraction, RT-qPCR design and optimisation).

• Conduct immunology assays (ELISA, FACS, Luminex).

• Develop SOPs and supporting documentation.

• Inventory, order, store and dispose of laboratory reagents, materials and samples.

• Assist with human and animal ethics applications.

• Assist with manuscript preparation (where appropriate will receive co-authorship).

• Maintain relevant documents, comprehensive preparation/set-up notes and records of experiments.

• Contribute to regular team meetings.

• Troubleshoot issues with experiments and equipment.

• Other duties, as reasonable directed by supervisor.

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 1 year.

At HEW level 6, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $86,371.95 - $92,658.90, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $101,055.18 - $108,410.91 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 (Honours/Masters/Higher degree would be well regarded) in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology or related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training .

• Practical experience with molecular biology, ELISA assays, flow cytometry.

• High-level computer and database literacy skills, including the Microsoft Office suite and PRISM.

• Ability to quickly acquire new laboratory techniques and perform them with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.

• Well-developed problem-solving skills, with an ability to forward plan, prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and work with a high level of adaptability, both independently and as part of a team.

• Sound knowledge of OH&S guidelines and laboratory safety.

• Availability to perform sampling and post-mortem dissection and occasional experiments out of business hours.

• The ability to plan, execute and interpret research in a semi-independent manner.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

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. 

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Jacky Suen [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 6 February 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number – R-34498).