• The School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
• HEW Level 5 or HEW Level 6 - commensurate with relevant skills and qualifications.
• Fixed-term position for up to 12 months
• Closing 13 February 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-22051)

 

About This Opportunity

We are seeking experienced and highly motivated Senior Research Assistants to apply their subject matter expertise and advanced knowledge of vaccine development and delivery. In this role the successful applicant will be required to perform a range of both lab based and organisation duties outlined below.

The Senior Research Assistant provides technical research support and subject matter expertise in support of in the development of novel vaccines, with an emphasis on new vaccines and animal models for viruses.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

HEW 5

Laboratory work

• Perform routine lab procedures and analysis including molecular cloning, PCR, DNA extraction and cell culture
• Assists in the conduct of experiments, tasks or programs, including protein purification (e.g. via AKTA FPLC) and subsequent analysis (e.g. via ELISA, gel filtration chromatography), and confocal microscopy
• Handle pathogenic viruses under PC2 conditions to perform routine virus production and virus assays, including neutralisation assays
• Assists in the completion of animal studies in rodents, under supervision of senior staff
• Perform routine animal work including vaccinations, tissue collection and animal welfare monitoring
• Troubleshoots issues with scientific/technical equipment
• Undertakes maintenance and upkeep of facilities and equipment

 

Safety

• Contributes to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies and protocols
• Ensures the appropriate storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, equipment, stores and/or samples/specimens, including infectious agents
• Ensures the appropriate and safe conduct of animal research

 

Research and administrative support

• Assists with drafting research documentation, including ethics and funding applications
• Undertakes literature searches and reviews
• Assists with routine team administration including management of day-to-day laboratory tasks
• Assists with preparing reports, graphs, figures and presentations on research outcomes at different stages of the research cycle outcomes
• Ensures compliance with approved ethics protocols

 

HEW 6

Research

• Undertakes advanced elements of research, in accordance with scientific/research discipline or methodology
• Applies specialist technical skills or knowledge to research activities
• Under broad direction, sets up, monitors and demonstrates standard experiments and equipment use
• Maintains accurate records of experiments or technical activities and results/outcomes
• Perform advanced lab procedures and analysis including designing nucleic acid constructs for subsequent molecular cloning, PCR, DNA extraction and cell culture
• Independently conduct experiments and lab tasks, including protein purification (e.g. via AKTA FPLC) and subsequent analysis (e.g. via ELISA, gel filtration chromatography), confocal microscopy and other complex imaging techniques (e.g. CLEM)
• Handle pathogenic viruses under PC2 conditions to perform complex virus production and virus assays, including neutralisation assays, virus production via reverse genetics systems (e.g. CPER)
• Assists in the design and independent completion of animal studies in rodents
• Perform complex animal work including vaccinations, tissue collection, virus infections and animal welfare monitoring
• Troubleshoots issues with scientific/technical equipment
• Undertakes maintenance and upkeep of facilities and equipment

 

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 including management of day-to-day laboratory tasks, including ordering of consumables
• Assists with preparing reports, graphs, figures and presentations on research outcomes at different stages of the research cycle outcomes
• Assists with the development of research/analytical protocols
• Maintains comprehensive preparation/set-up notes and instructions for self and others to use
• Ensures compliance with approved ethics protocols
• Contributes to research outputs, joint preparation and authorship of reports/manuscripts
• Records and documents outcomes from experiments
• Assists with designing complex research studies

This role is subject to The University's Code of Conduct.

About You

HEW 5

• Completion of a honours degree level qualification in Virology, Molecular biology, or immunology or completion of a Diploma with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• Experience in animal experiments in rodents, molecular cloning, flow cytometry, protein purification and analysis, and performing virus assays under PC2 conditions
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Ability to work independently on routine procedures
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Well-organised, methodical and self-motivated
• Previous experience in a similar role would be considered favourably.
• Project coordination in a laboratory environment, including ability to manage laboratory equipment and supplies.

 

HEW 6

• Completion of a relevant honours degree in Virology, Molecular biology or immunology with subsequent experience in coordinating activities or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated research-relevant knowledge and skills with expertise in a wide range of specialist and general research techniques, including animal experiments in rodents, molecular cloning and PCR, intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry assays, protein purification and analysis and production and handling of viruses under PC2 conditions.
• Expertise in the application of advanced imaging techniques such as super resolution microscopy, and multiphoton microscopy.
• Advanced knowledge of skin immunology.
• Significant experience of working in a team to perform complex in vivo experimental procedures in rodents
• Advanced technical capabilities in flow cytometry, including intracellular cytokine staining of splenocytes from experimental 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
• 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
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct documentation
• The ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a research environment​

 

What We Can Offer

This is a full-time (100% FTE) fixed-term position up to 12 months at either a HEW Level 5 or HEW Level 6 - commensurate with the relevant skills and qualifications.

The full-time equivalent HEW 5 base salary will be in the range of $74,378.89 to $82,842.92 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range of $87,023.30 to $96,926.26.

The full-time equivalent HEW 6 base salary will be in the range of $84,871.95 to $91,158.90 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range of $99,300.18 to $106,655.91 per annum.

The following flexible employment options may be available for this role; some working from home; variable start or finish times; compressed hours; flex-time.

For further information about UQ's benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ and review The University of Queensland's Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018 - 2021.

Questions?

To discuss this role please contact Dr David Muller via d.muller4@uq.edu.au

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number in the subject line.

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

Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box labelled 'resume', which is step one of the application form.

Other Information

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.

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 our 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 recruitment@uq.edu.au

For jobs being advertised externally: If you are a current employee of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, 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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