Research Assistant - Matrix & Metastasis

Job No: GC201868
Location: Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes, with over 600 scientists, students and support staff.  We pioneer study into the most widespread diseases affecting our community today, including cancer, neurodegenerative and mental diseases, disorders of the immune system, diabetes and obesity, osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders.

Matrix and Metastasis Research Group

In tissue diseases such as cancer, the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes significant change. These changes, driven by resident tumour cells, feed into the pathological progression of the disease. Understanding how the changing ECM facilitates tumour progression is an important step in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Our research focuses on how ECM remodelling influences cancer progression, therapy response, and metastatic dissemination in solid tumours.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Assistant to join the Matrix and Metastasis Group within Cancer. Reporting to the Group Leader Dr Thomas Cox, your key responsibilities include:

  • Conducting experiments (in vitro and in vivo) and duties in a timely and efficient manner
  • Adopting published methods and evaluating and applying alternative methodologies
  • Interacting with scientists within and outside the Garvan
  • Collating and recording experimental data accurately, writing up experimental procedures and contributing to the interpretation of experimental results
  • Making recommendations on ways of improving techniques, quantitative methods and quality control

This full-time position is offered on a 1-year term in the first instance.

About You

You will possess the following attributes:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (First Class Hons) in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry or related discipline
  • Experience with, and the willingness to undertake in vivo research, including handling of small rodents
  • Experience and good working knowledge in microscopy and imaging approaches such as confocal microscopy
  • Experience with protein/biochemical techniques, such as immunoprecipitation and western blotting
  • Experience with molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, RT-PCR, Q-PCR, sequencing, site-directed mutagenesis, transfection or gene knockdown
  • Experience with in vitro cell culture of mammalian cell lines
  • Experience in 2D and 3D experimental models of cancer
  • A working knowledge of Matrix Biology and/or Cancer Biology

Ideally, you will also have experience in:

  • Handling of mice and working with mouse models of cancer
  • Protein/biochemical techniques such as flow cytometry
  • Molecular biology and epigenetic techniques such as chip, microarrays, and bioinformatics
  • Molecular pathology techniques such as immunohistochemistry and/or confocal microscopy
  • Analysis of primary tumour specimens

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the Garvan Careers site via the link below. Applications from other sites/channels will unfortunately not be considered.

http://garvan.applynow.net.au/jobs/GC201868

Your application should include: 

  • A cover letter
  • Your resume including at least 2 referees
  • Copies of relevant qualifications / academic transcripts

Only applicants with working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.

Closing Date

The position will remain open until filled. As we will be reviewing applications as they are received, we encourage you to submit yours as soon as possible.

Apply Now

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