Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cell and Molecular Biology

• Fantastic opportunity to join the School of Medical Sciences as a Post-doctoral Research Associate

• Full time, fixed term for 12 months with possibility of extension

• Base Salary from $109,301 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Medical Sciences is looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join the NeuroMolecular Discovery Group to support research investigating neurodegenerative diseases. The position will be based in the Charles Perkins Centre, a state-of-the-art research facility located on the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus. 

The NeuroMolecular Discovery Group

The lab, led by Dr. Rebecca San Gil , is dedicated to discovering genes and proteins with therapeutic potential to combat neurodegenerative diseases, particularly motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia. This role presents an opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new laboratory and work together with a team of motivated individuals to develop novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Research environment

The School of Medical Sciences is recognised as one of the leading centres for medical science education in the world. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of medical scientists who will be leading members of the medical research community with an innovative integrated curriculum. Our team of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy across a range of therapeutic areas.   

The Charles Perkins Centre is a large multidisciplinary initiative committed to easing the burden of chronic disease. Our complex systems approach brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and world class facilities to find new solutions to combat chronic diseases. We are reconceiving the systems of health through our revolutionary approach to easing the burden of chronic diseases – obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases – through innovative research collaborations and partnerships.

The role

We are seeking to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Associate with advanced skills in cell and molecular biology within the School of Medical Sciences. The postdoctoral researcher will investigate disease pathways to develop novel therapeutic strategies that target protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease models. This will be achieved through the application of advanced CRISPR gene- and transcript-editing technologies to manipulate neuronal biochemistry and physiology, thereby enabling the generation of impactful discoveries that inform future preclinical studies. We will offer comprehensive support for career advancement, including opportunities to present at national and international conferences.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• conduct high-impact research and professional activities, independently and as part of a team, to contribute to discipline knowledge

• develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff

• contribute to the analysis and interpretation of data to inform future research, prepare publications, and develop grant/fellowship project proposals

• commitment to maintaining research integrity and excellence in various techniques, such as cell culture, gene/transcript editing, microscopy, and other advanced molecular techniques

• maintain a continuous awareness of emerging literature relevant to the project and field of research

• provide formal/informal mentoring and advice to students within discipline

• carry out administrative tasks and contribute to faculty/school meetings and the strategic direction of the Faculty/School/Portfolio

• contribute to a positive workplace culture in which diversity of thought, contribution, collaboration, excellence and achieving outcomes are valued and enabled

About you

Essential

• PhD in a relevant area of cell and molecular biology or neuroscience

• demonstrated expertise in bacterial culture, plasmid preparation, cell culture of immortalised cells lines, culture of iPSC and iPSC-derived human neurons, transfection of cells/neurons with plasmid DNA, lentiviral particle preparation, and cell lysis for protein extraction or RNA purification.

• demonstrated experience with immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy (including confocal microscopy and high content systems), immunoblotting, qPCR, FACS, flow cytometry, proteomics, and transcriptomics.

• experience in using software for the design of plasmid DNA constructs (e.g., lentiviral or AAV backbones) for a variety of applications including over-expression of genes/proteins of interest

• demonstrated experience applying DNA- and RNA-targeting CRISPR technologies for gene knockout, knockdown, activation, editing, and/or insertion

• demonstrated experience using software for the statistical analysis, interpretation, and visualisation of multiparametric data (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R Studio) including proteomics, transcriptomics, and/or datasets from high content imaging.

• ability to work independently and multi-task experiments while meeting timelines; self-motivated and independent thinking with enthusiasm to achieve research goals; demonstrated capacity to work effectively both with or without direct supervision and as part of a team.

• excellent written and verbal communication, record-keeping, and organisational skills

• ability and willingness to learn new techniques and optimise experimental approaches

• awareness of laboratory safety, and occupational health and safety protocols, contributes to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies and protocols.

Desired

• Prior experience working in the field of neuroscience and/or neurodegeneration and/or MND and FTD

• Experience with neurophysiological recordings from neuronal cultures including multielectrode array (MEA)

• Track record of first-author publication/s

• Participation and presentation in local or national symposia/conferences

• Awards for research excellence or success in local or national funding schemes

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires valid work rights for Australia.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion . 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and your responses to the “about you” section) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact, Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email to ajaypal.singh@sydney.edu.au.

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The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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