Description:
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.
The Immunogenomics Lab at Garvan studies contribution of genes to the development of autoimmune, inflammatory and immunodeficiency diseases, as well as immune response to cancer. The lab utilises combinations of cellular and genomic sequencing technologies to investigate immune regulation in humans and mouse models. There is a focus on the role of somatic mutations in the development of self-reactive B-cell clones, as well as identifying key molecular targets to develop into clinical trials to treat autoimmune diseases.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This SRO position will work within the Immunogenomics Lab at Garvan to lead the laboratory arm of the research program consisting of two concurrent projects:
Analysing the depth of B cell and plasma cell depletion in human samples from patients who are enrolled in clinical trials of B cell/plasma cell depleting drugs in autoimmune diseases. Preclinical development of new B cell depleting drugs using in-vitro systems and murine models.
The role will work closely in collaboration with the Antibodyn Engineering / Biologics team and Centre for Targeted Therapy groups within Garvan. The role is a key position in the program, implementing existing and developing new, highly efficacious treatments for patients with a diverse range of autoimmune diseases.
Salary: Up to $135,700 + 14% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)
Employment Type: 3 year fixed term contract with possibility to extend
SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS
- Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)
- Ample opportunities for on-going training and development
- Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
- Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times
- 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation
- A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave
- Discounted Health Insurance
- Lifestyle discounts with our community partners
WHAT YOU WILL DO
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Research Officer will be making significant contributions in the following areas accompanied by an increasing level of performance within the criteria for progression from SRO1 to SRO6.
Research excellence
- Undertaking and directing primary research on samples from patients with human autoimmune diseases. Key experimental platforms include flow cytometry, RNAseq, histology and autoantibody quantitation.
- Design and implement high-throughput functional assays to identify and rank novel therapeutic drug candidates based on activity, specificity, and potency. Develop robust platforms to assess biological function, mechanism of action, cytotoxicity, and cytokine responses in target disease pathways. Integrate data from in-vitro and in-vivo studies for candidate prioritization. Conduct mechanistic studies and collaborate with computational biology teams for multi-omics analysis. Evaluate candidate performance in advanced disease models (e.g., co-culture, organoids, murine). Strengthen collaboration with the Biologics team to align research objectives and streamline workflows.
- Staying abreast on advances in antibody/TCR repertoire analysis, genomics and next generation sequencing technology in general, maintaining knowledge about human immune testing and personalised medicine.
- Contributing to the growth and productivity of the lab by proposing, participating and overseeing the design, development and validation of new assays, and fostering collaborative efforts with other labs, organisations and companies.
- Providing informatics advice as required for acquiring laboratory accreditations (NATA/TGA) and legislative/ethical requirements for the establishment of a clinical diagnostic service.
- Successful leadership of research projects resulting in first or senior authorship of published articles in refereed journals, books, conference papers / reports and other research publications.
- Contribution to productive research outcomes in team and collaborative projects resulting in mid-authorships on scientific publications
- National and international recognition by invited seminar presentations and oral/poster presentations at national and international meetings
- Role as a named Investigator on research proposal submissions to external funding bodies
- Other duties as assigned by the Laboratory Head of Immunogenomics.
Team effort
- Supervision and mentoring of research students and junior research staff
- Collaboration with other research staff to develop research projects
- Administrative functions to assist efficient day-to-day operations of research labs and facilities
Institute contributions
- Contribution to Garvan’s organisation and management through membership of committees, participation in training and mentoring programs and other activities to promote a culture of research excellence and collegiality
- Promotion of research links with external partners
- Involvement in professional service through active participation in scientific societies
- Participation in Garvan promotion and fund-raising events, including Young Garvan, public
General responsibilities (applicable to all levels):
- All staff are required to comply with Garvan’s workplace polices (as amended from time to time) and especially Garvan’s Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy, including working in accordance with the WHS management system at all times, as safety is Garvan’s number one priority
ABOUT YOU
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
The key skills and experience of a Senior Research Officer include:
- PhD degree in a relevant area of science
- Extensive experience in key methods including in-vitro cellular assays, cell culture, flow cytometry, RNAseq, ELISA and histology (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy).
- Strong expertise in assay development, including functional screening, cytotoxicity, and cytokine evaluation. Advanced understanding of molecular biology and therapeutic pathways in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Proven ability to design and execute murine studies for efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and biomarker evaluation.
- Skilled in fostering collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to operate independently, develop and troubleshoot assays.
- Postdoctoral research experience leading to publication of high quality first author and/or senior author and multi-author papers
- Experience in preparing and reporting on human ethics applications
- Proficient in use of the Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to develop, manage and maintain internal and external working relationships
- Highly developed written and verbal communications skills
- Strong project management skills and managing budgets
- Strong problem solving, analytical skills, and strategic thinking
- Experience leading and managing teams (desirable)
- Experience working with clinical pathology services (desirable)
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills (desirable)
ABOUT GARVAN
Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.
Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.
We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.
Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document, stating why you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you think you’re the right person for this role, we’d love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.