Research Assistant - Bone Microenvironment
Job No:
GC201977
Location:
Darlinghurst
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, diabetes and obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, disorders of the immune system, osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders.
Research in Bone Biology is focused on examining novel pathways which regulate bone homeostasis, exploring new mechanisms for auto-inflammatory diseases and understanding how cancers grow in bone, particularly multiple myeloma, and breast and prostate cancer bone metastases. In particular, the bone microenvironment group seeks to understand the role of the local bone microenvironment in regulating the critical events associated with tumour cell colonisation of the skeleton and regulating tumour cell dormancy and activation. Our work is based on the development of some of the most robust experimental models available for cancers that spread to, and grow in, bone. This work is underpinned by ‘state-of-the-art’ imaging technology, including two-photon intra-vital imaging, live cell microscopy, high through put flow cytometry and single cell transcriptomics.
The Opportunity
The research assistant will be responsible for running a number of projects examining bone cell biology using live cell and intravital imaging, and exploring the consequences of newly defined bone cell behaviour on tumour cell growth in bone. These studies will involve animal models of myeloma and breast cancer and the assessment of how interventions which alter bone cell behaviour modify growth of cancers in bone. These studies will also employ FACS, MicroCT, specialised histology and in vitro techniques. The conduction of these studies will be supervised by the Group Leader.
Duties for this position will include:
- Work independently and manage multiple research projects as instructed by group leader
- Plan and implement animal studies including interventions, monitoring procedures, tissue harvests, data entry and sample processing for analysis
- Maintain existing and establish new in vivo models of bone metastatic disease including in vitro maintenance of cell lines with guidance from experienced animal research staff
- Perform 2-photon imaging and image analysis of excised bones to produce quantitative data on bone and tumour cell following interventions.
- Work closely with supervisors to perform intravital 2-photon microscopy for dynamic imaging of bone and tumour cell activity
- Perform microCT scanning and analysis on murine bones
- Perform general histological techniques and specialised enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniques
- Establish live cell imaging techniques to explore bone cell dynamics in high resolution
- Conduct flow cytometry to assess tumour cell growth in bone
- Prepare data and produce figures for publication of research articles
- Disseminate findings via both internal and external research meetings - to include both poster and oral presentation
- Conduct experiments under supervision such as intravital live animal imaging, complex animal procedures, 2-photon microscopy data acquisition and analysis, complex flow cytometry and cell sorting.
- Record experimental procedures and results as directed
- Regularly attend meetings with the wider Research Theme community as required
- Be involved in junior lab responsibilities such as: store duties, wash-up and cleaning of shared facilities and stock control
- Responsible for imparting knowledge in relation to skills or expertise
About You
You will have the following skills and experience:
- Bachelors’ Degree in Science or Medicine (preferably with Honours – 1st class)
- Competent computer skills (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)
- Performance of statistical analyses
- Oral and written presentation of data
- Laboratory experience
- Planning, co-ordinating and implementing experiments
- Animal handling and surgical experience (desirable)
- Microscopy skills (desirable)
- Histology skills (desirable)
- Flow Cytometry Skills (desirable)
- In vitro cell culture and live cell imaging skills (desirable)
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.
https://garvan.applynow.net.au/jobs/GC201977
Your application should include:
- A cover letter
- Your resume including at least 2 referees
- Copies of relevant qualifications / academic transcripts
This full-time position is offered on a 1-year term in the first instance with potential to extend.
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.