Research Officer

Job No: GC201950
Location: Darlinghurst, NSW

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Garvan) is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes, with over 600 scientists, students and support staff.  Its mission is to make significant contributions to medical research that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. Garvan’s research encompasses immunology, bone biology, neuroscience, diabetes and metabolism, cancer, and genomics and epigenetics. These research activities are organised within four themes: Cancer, Inflammatory Diseases, Healthy Aging, and Genomics, and two Centres: the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics and the Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer (1/9 women) and the second highest cause of cancer-related female death. A defining feature of breast cancer cells is uncontrolled proliferation and growth. The Replication and Genome Stability Group investigates how breast cells lose control of proliferation and how this alters the DNA of cancer cells.  We use a combination of traditional laboratory methods, genomics and bioinformatics to address this question. We have made significant findings on potential biomarkers for cancer, especially drug-resistant disease, and how to tailor hormone and chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer cells.

The Opportunity

The Research Officer is accountable for conducting research with the overall aim of defining underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer.

The Research Officer reports to the Group Leader, Dr Caldon. No staff will report directly to the Research Officer at this stage, but a high level of interaction with other ROs, RAs and PhD students in other Groups within the Cancer Research Division is essential.  As the project develops, additional RAs and PhD students may be recruited to the project and the Research Officer would be expected to assist Dr Caldon in their supervision. 

The position has no budgetary responsibilities; however, the incumbent must show responsibility in the prudential management of funds allocated for her/his research project.  Assistance in the preparation of research grant proposals, presentations and publications will be expected, as well as willingness to later apply for fellowships to support their own salary.

The Research Officer's specific responsibility within Replication and Genome Stability Group is to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer.  The incumbent will also have the following responsibilities:-

Research Excellence

  • to make original contributions in research that creatively address questions of science in their project;
  • to successfully complete several research projects in an efficient and timely manner and have the outcomes of these projects published under joint authorship in leading scientific journals;
  • to gain peer recognition by presentations at national scientific meetings in their field;
  • to provide general research guidance to more junior research staff whose work might have an impact on wider Division research goals. 

Team effort

  • to develop research priorities that address project goals within the Division;
  • to work to achieve work priorities for the Research Division and participate with other researchers in reviewing progress against overall goals and collaborative effectiveness;
  • to help (when assigned to do so) to co-supervise the activity of more junior staff including undergraduate scholars;
  • to provide data for the preparation of publications and research proposal submissions to external funding bodies.

Institute contributions

  • to interact productively (where appropriate) within and across Divisions, lead constructive discussion at the Garvan's Friday seminar program and be seen as a person whom more junior staff can approach for technical advice;
  • to assist in raising the profile of the Garvan by becoming aware of and developing contacts in their research area nationally and internationally;
  • to make some productive contribution to the Garvan's organisation and management.
  • All staff are required to comply with Garvan’s Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy and work in accordance with the WHS management system at all times.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key skills and qualifications:

  • PhD in an area of biochemistry, genetics, genomics, physiology or bioinformatics
  • Extensive experience with the manipulation of DNA, RNA or protein, and cells or tissues in culture. Working with mice is expected as part of the role.

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/GC201950

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: This role 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

 

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