Research Assistant

About the role

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

The Precision Medicine Theme of the SAHMRI is committed to developing targeted therapies with minimal side effects for diseases including cancer, autoimmune and genetic disease.

Associate Prof Dr Hiwase (MBSS, MD, FRACP, FRCPA, and PhD) is a clinician scientist. He started myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) translational research program.

Long-term vision of our research is preventing and improving outcome of therapy-related myeloid neoplasm (t-MN), a lethal complication in cancer survivors otherwise expected to live long. t-MN are poorly understood blood cancer developing in otherwise long-term cancer survivors. It is associated with dismal outcome with no effective therapies. The overall aims of the research would be to improve outcome of patients with myeloid malignancies by (i) identifying genetic predisposition to myeloid malignancies, (ii) Identifying novel targets and developing mutation-specific therapies in MDS and AML, (iii) evaluating role of aberrant bone marrow microenvironment in pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasm.

About the Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Contribute to grant-funded research under the broad direction of the Head of the research group to achieve defined objectives and test stated hypotheses.
• Implement and conduct high quality scientific research and report on research outcomes in line with research goals and milestones of the Laboratory.
• Assist in training of basic techniques to PhD and undergraduate students.
• Assist in design, execution and analysis of experiments involving patient samples, human stem cells, engineered stem cells and mouse models.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• BSC in Science, Biomedical Science or Biotechnology and Honours
• Knowledge of bioinformatics databases including next generation sequencing (NGS) data.
• Demonstrated record of achievement and experience in the techniques of mammalian tissue culture and molecular cell biology, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, gene knockdown/overexpression, protein expression and molecular cloning techniques.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the capacity to collaborate and engage with diverse stakeholders and industry partners.
• An understanding of contemporary issues in healthcare, patient care and delivery of health policies;

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community.  Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact A/Prof Devendra Hiwase at Devendra.Hiwase@sahmri.com

Applications close: 11:29pm ACST Friday 9 June 2023

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

SAHMRI is a member of the Athena SWAN Science in Australia Gender Equity program. We have been awarded Bronze status for our commitment to advancing the careers of women, trans and gender diverse individuals in STEMM.