Research Assistant
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Research Assistant
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Genetic disease-focused biomedical research institute
Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading scientists and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to advance our understanding of disease, particularly cancer,autoimmunityand genetic disorders. Garvan is a global leader in fundamental biomedical research and its translation. Our mission is to make discoveries that will improve health for all.
The Swarbrick lab are global leaders in the application of cellular genomics to human cancer,to find new diagnostics and treatments for society’s most challenging cancers. We are adiverse multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians with a vision to change cancermedicine. More information can be found atwww.swarbricklab.com
Major projects include generation of an international, large-scale, multi-omicbreast canceratlas and understanding the cellular mediators of response to cancer immunotherapy in breastcancer and melanoma. The Laboratory is generating substantial single-cell sequencing(scRNA-Seq), spatial transcriptomics and other genomic and proteomic datasets from clinicalsamples and preclinical models. The RA will be actively working on the integration of theselarge multi-omicdatasets and developing scalable, robust, cloud-based computationalframeworks.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Research Assistant provides essential technical and operational support to a researchlaboratory or group. The primary purpose of this role is to enable andfacilitatehigh-qualitymedical research while optimising productivity through technicalexpertiseand efficientresource management. Appointees typically hold aBachelor’s Degree or a Master’sDegreeand work with an increasing sense of direction and autonomy as they gain experience.
Research Assistants are appointed on a salary scale depending on level of experience,performance and requirements of the rolerequiredwithin the lab/group. For furtherinformation, refer to Garvan’sResearch Assistant & Senior Research Assistant Criteria.
Salary:Up to$94,300+ 14% super + salary packaging(depending on experience)
Employment Type:2yearfixed-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 opportunitiesfor on-going training and development
Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
Flexible work arrangementse.g. start / finish times
18 weeks paid parental leavefor both parents including paid superannuation
A range ofadditionalleave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, communityserviceand study leave
Discounted Health Insurance
Lifestyle discounts with our community partners
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Depending on level of experience and requirements of the role, a Research Assistant istypically expected to:
1. Scientific Excellence
Experimental Execution: Developing,maintainingand executing bioinformaticpipelines/workflows, particularly in relation toscRNA-seq and spatialtranscriptomic data.
Optimisation: Contribute to the existing codebase in collaboration with otherteam members, including debugging,refactoringand enhancing legacy code.Adopt, test and benchmark analytical packages for incorporation into analysesand standardised pipelines.
Data management: Track, archive and actively manage raw and processeddatain accordance withestablished procedures and policies
Specialist Advice:Providetechnical advice to researchers within the groupregarding specific research methods, instruments, and analysis tools.
Data integrity: Ensure all research data isaccurate, high-quality, andconforms to good scientific practice, ensuring it is accessible to otherresearchers asrequired.
Scientific Communication: Communicate experimental results to researchersandcollaborators through written reports and effective visual formats.
Scholarly Contribution: Assist In the preparation of research papers andcontribute content to grant applications and research proposals.
2. Team Leadership
Mentorship & Training: Train students, postdocs, and peers on data collection,specialised tools, and laboratory safety protocols.
Personal Growth: Take responsibility for own professional development byattending workshops andseekingto learn new techniques to support thegroup’s evolving research needs.
Team Collaboration: Work effectively as a reliable and approachable memberof the research team, fostering a collaborative environment.
3. Resources & Planning
Lab Coordination: Manage internal communications, such as scheduling teammeetings and research presentations.
Compliance & Outputs: Manage research data and outputs to ensurecompliance withopen accessrequirements of funding bodies and publishers.
Project Delivery: Balance the competing needs and timelines of multipleresearch projects within the lab and with external collaborators to meetdeadlines.
4. Institute Contributions
Values & Integrity:Demonstratescientific and professional integrity at alltimes, acting as a role model for ethical behaviour.
Active Participation: Contribute to the wider institute community byparticipatingin committees, outreach projects, or donor activities.
5. Health & Safety and Risk Management
Comply withGarvan’s workplace polices (as amended from time to time) andespecially Garvan’s Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy, including workinginaccordance withthe WHS management system at all times, as safety isGarvan’s number one priority.
Proactivelyidentify, assess, and report operational, financial, and safety risksassociated with the duties of this role. The incumbentis required toadhere tothe organisation’s Risk Management Framework, ensure all activities areconductedin accordance withestablished policies and procedures, andcontribute to a culture of continuous improvement by suggesting mitigationstrategies foridentifiedhazards or inefficiencies.
ABOUT YOU
The key skills and experience include:
Essential Knowledge:
BSc or MSc in computer science or a quantitative discipline (Computational Biology,Bioinformatics, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Software Engineering, or a related field)
Experience with version control systems, particularly Git
Experience using R and/or Python programming language
Familiarity with the Unix command line and high-performance computing environmentsand/or cloud computing
Desirable Knowledge:
Knowledge of the fundamentals of molecular biology: DNA transcription andtranslation
Experience in the analysis of large molecular datasets, such as whole genome andtranscriptomic sequencing data
Experience in handling, processing, and interpreting large-scale biological datasetsderived fromscRNA-seq and spatial technologies (such asVisiumor Xenium)
Experience in machine learning, deep learning, and foundational models would bepreferred but not essential
Experience working in a multidisciplinary team
Appreciation of ethical dimensions of clinical research
Personal Qualities:
Excellent communication skills for written reports and oral presentations
Excellent organisational and time management skills
Strong desireto work co-operatively with other team members
Commitment to data organisation and implementation of quality controls
An interest in understanding how cancers evolve and progress
ABOUT GARVAN
Garvan Institute of Medical Researchis 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 regardedMRI’s.
Our vision is global leadership in discoveries toimpactand our enduring purpose is toimpacthuman health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.
Weseekto 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, pleasesubmityour application with a CV and cover letter as one document,statingwhy you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you thinkyou’rethe right person for this role,we’dlove 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.
Genetic disease-focused biomedical research institute
Garvan Institute of Medical Research conducts biomedical research to understand how genes, molecules, and cells influence health and disease, aiming to prevent and treat major illnesses. It combines fundamental science with strong clinical collaborations to translate discoveries into medical advances. What sets Garvan apart is its sustained, long-term work that integrates laboratory research with direct clinical interactions across a range of diseases, not just one specialty. Its goal is to prevent, treat, or cure major diseases such as cancer, diabetes/obesity, neurological disorders, osteoporosis, and immunological diseases by uncovering mechanisms and developing new therapies.
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