Research Assistant - Bone Biology

Job No: GC201981
Location: Darlinghurst, 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, diabetes and obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, disorders of the immune system, osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders.

Research in Bone Biology is focused on defining the genes and pathways that control bone homeostasis and bone strength, in understanding and treating osteoporosis and auto-inflammatory diseases and working out how cancers grow in bone, particularly multiple myeloma, and breast and prostate cancer bone metastases. A major interest is leveraging the power of new single cell technologies to understand how bone cells control the skeleton, how cancer cells interact with bone cells and how failures in communication between cells leads to disease. These single-cell technologies include the very latest intravital microscopy technology and single-cell genomic techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking to identify a dedicated and curious scientist driven by the desire to make discoveries that have impact for society. The successful applicant will work with Professor Peter Croucher to visualise and analyse the cellular dynamics of the skeleton and the interactions that occur when cancer cells colonise the skeleton. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on their own project exploring bone cell dynamics. Experience in intravital imaging, image analysis, computational science and single-cell transcriptional analysis would be an advantage.

 Duties for this position will include: 

  • Work independently and manage research under the direction of the laboratory head.
  • Plan and perform animal studies including interventions, monitoring procedures, tissue harvests and sample processing for analysis.
  • Maintain existing and establish in vivo models of skeletal disorders, including metastatic bone disease.
  • Perform intravital imaging of the skeleton and tumours that develop in the skeleton.
  • Develop and perform detailed analysis of the imaging data acquired by intravital imaging.
  • Perform and analysis single-cell RNAseq analysis of bone and tumour cell populations.
  • Perform micro-CT and histological analysis of bone samples.  
  • 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.

 This position will be offered full time for 12 months the first instance.

 About You 

You will have the following skills and experience:

  • Bachelors’ Degree in science or engineering (preferably with Honours – 1st class)
  • Well develop computational skills
  • Ability to analyse data and perform statistical analyses
  • An ability to communicate through oral and written presentation of data
  • Strong planning and project management skills
  • Laboratory experience and an ability to design and perform experiments
  • Animal handling and surgical experience (desirable)
  • Intravital imaging, microscopy and image analysis skills (desirable)
  • Knowledge of and/or experience or working with RNA (desirable)

How to Apply   

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

https://garvan.applynow.net.au/jobs/GC201981

Please include the following in your application:

  • 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.

This position will be offered on a full time basis for one year.

Closing Date

This position will remain open until filled. We’ll review applications as they are received, please submit your application as soon as possible.

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