Research Officer

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 OPPORTUNITY

This role offers an exciting opportunity for an accomplished scientist with strong expertise in stem cell biology (particularly iPSCs), functional genomics, and genetics to lead research with our iPSC Village platform. We are open to individuals with either wetlab or computational expertise, but in both cases, with a proven track record in leading research through to publication or translation. Our lab has led the development of iPSC Village models, which enable controlled, multi-donor stem cell cultures that capture natural genetic diversity in a shared environment, providing a powerful system to uncover how human genetic variation shapes cellular differentiation, development, and disease pathways.

As part of a significant, well-supported research program, the successful candidate will:

• Employ cutting-edge iPSC differentiation systems or analysis of genomic data (current focus on neural and cardiac models) to explore developmental trajectories and cell fate decisions across genetically diverse donors.

• Integrate single-cell multi-omics, CRISPR perturbation, and high-content phenotyping to map regulatory networks and identify functional consequences of genetic and epigenetic variation.

• Lead high-impact analyses poised for publication in top-tier journals, with several Village-based manuscripts already in late-stage preparation/under review.           

• Work within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary ecosystem that spans wet-lab stem cell biology, computational genomics, machine learning, and translational partnerships.

• Benefit from established infrastructure, dedicated engineering and sequencing support, and access to one of the world’s largest collections of stem-cell datasets and assays.

• Contribute to translational discovery efforts with opportunities for industry collaboration and IP development.

The iPSC Village project provides a rare combination of scale, diversity, and experimental control, enabling discoveries that are often impossible in traditional systems. This is a 2-year full-time role with the possibility of extension.

More broadly, the Powell Lab’s research focused on how human genetic variation shapes cellular function and disease, with the long-term vision of building a cell-resolved, causal map of human biology. We seek to understand, at scale, how DNA variation rewires regulatory networks, shifts cell states, and drives human disease, and to translate these insights into better diagnostics and therapeutics.

To achieve this, we develop and integrate cutting-edge experimental and computational

platforms:

• Large-cohort single-cell genomics (e.g., TenK10K) generating millions of profiles to map regulatory architecture across diverse individuals.

• iPSC “Village” systems and CRISPR perturbation to experimentally dissect and validate gene function in controlled, scalable cellular models.

• Advanced computational genomics, machine learning, and causal inference frameworks that link genetic variants to cellular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Our research spans immune biology, cardiac disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer, unified by a central question: Which genes, cell states, and molecular pathways are causally driving human traits and disease, and how can we intervene?

Why join us?

We have built a team that thrives at the intersection of genomics, AI, and cellular biology. Lab members gain access to unique population-scale datasets, advanced wet- and dry-lab technologies, and pathways to meaningful collaborations with clinicians, industry partners, and international consortia.

We offer an environment that values:

• Scientific independence and creativity,

• Rigorous, reproducible research,

• Collaboration and mentorship, and

• Ambition to tackle big, long-term scientific problems.

Salary: AU$102,500 – AU$117,400 + 14% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)

Employment Type: 2-year fixed-term contract

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 key responsibilities include:

• Design and analyse experiments using human iPSCs and derived cell types to study gene regulation, differentiation, and disease mechanisms. Depending on the candidate’s background, this could focus on wet- or dry-lab research.

• Apply molecular and cellular biology techniques, including genome editing (e.g., CRISPR), transcriptomics, and high-content imaging, to interrogate gene function.

• Integrate genetic and functional genomics data to identify regulatory pathways and causal variants.

• Develop and optimise new experimental pipelines that link genetic perturbation to cellular phenotype.

• Produce high-quality research outputs suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to competitive grant proposals.

• Present findings in seminars, internal meetings, and national or international conferences.

• Supervise and mentor research assistants and students, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.

• Assist in planning and managing research projects, ensuring compliance with institutional ethics, biosafety, and governance requirements.

• Collaborate closely with computational biologists, clinicians, and other scientists to interpret genetic data and translate findings into biological insight.

• Contribute to developing new research directions and pilot projects that expand program capabilities.

ABOUT YOU

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

The key skills and experience of a Research Officer include:

Essential criteria

• PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience in stem cell culture and differentiation systems; or

• Demonstrated experience in computational analysis of genomic data from stem cell culture and differentiation systems;

• Proven track record applying genetic and molecular approaches to investigate biological mechanisms.

• Experience with CRISPR-based methods, single-cell technologies, or functional genomics assays.

• Strong publication record and evidence of independent research capability.

• Excellent problem-solving, organisational, and communication skills.

• Commitment to research integrity, reproducibility, and laboratory safety.

• Experience in grant writing will be viewed favourably.

Desirable criteria

• Good knowledge of statistics and presentation of single-cell molecular data.

• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with researchers across both dry and wet laboratories.

• Experience in cell functional assays such as proteomics, cell painting, physiology

• Experience with cell model systems such as organoids or lab-on-chip models

Key Personal Attributes

• Collaborative mindset – enjoys working closely with postdocs and researchers,
  contributing to shared goals and supporting team-based science.

• Strong communication skills – able to explain analytical approaches clearly to both
  computational and experimental colleagues.

• Problem-solving orientation – proactive in identifying issues in data, pipelines, or
  analyses and driving solutions independently.

• Attention to detail – committed to producing high-quality, reproducible work across
  large and complex datasets.

• Adaptability – comfortable working across multiple projects and adjusting to the
  evolving needs of fast-moving research programs.

• Organised and reliable – can manage competing priorities, maintain well-structured
  code and documentation, and meet project timelines.

• Curiosity and initiative – motivated to learn new methods, improve workflows, and
  contribute ideas to enhance the lab’s computational capabilities.

• Commitment to scientific excellence – values rigour, transparency, and continuous
  improvement.

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. Sponsorship is available for the right candidate.