AddressAt Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Fixed Term, Full Time Role - Multiple Positions Available!
Postdoctoral Scientists (Neeson Laboratory)
Fixed Term, Full Time - Two year contracts
1RA6 - 1RA10
• Explore CAR-T cell therapy for cancer
• A dynamic and world-leading research centre
• Salary packaging, central city location
This is an exciting opportunity for two motivated Postdoctoral Scientists to join the Neeson Lab (HITRL) in the cancer immunology program at Peter Mac.
The lab is focused on developing new immunotherapy strategies to treat cancer patients. To do this we explore the human tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) and use these findings to devise novel combination treatments with immunotherapy.
In this role, you will explore novel CAR-T cell strategies to improve outcomes in patients with solid cancers. You will use gene editing approaches and in vitro and in vivo models to address current hurdles to CAR-T cell efficacy in solid tumours (breast, prostate and ovarian cancers). This includes exploring the mechanisms whereby CD4+ T cells are important for CAR-T cell anti-tumour efficacy, and novel engineering approaches to drive improved CAR-T cell function in the TME.
The position(s) require research scientists who are highly skilled in immunology, molecular biology, protein engineering or cancer cell biology, and the successful candidate should hold a PhD in one of these disciplines. It would be desirable that they also have a strong background in cancer research. The person(s) will be expected to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students and technical staff.
For more information on recent publications and projects currently running in the Neeson Lab see:
https://www.petermac.org/research/labs/paul-neeson. The lab welcomes applications from people of diverse backgrounds.
Both positions are full-time for a fixed term of 24 months, with the possibility of extension. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience as per Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021 – 2026. 1RA6 ($87,521.20 per annum) to 1RA10 ($103,771.20 per annum).
For further information about this opportunity, please review the position description or contact Professor Paul Neeson (Head, HITRL) via email in the first instance.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter, resume and response to selection criteria outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
Applications will be closed on: 11:59pm Thursday 28th March 2024.
Hiring Manager: Prof Paul Neeson
Email: ***********@petermac.org
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Position Summary
The post-doc will work on a project exploring CAR-T cell therapy, including gene editing to identify mechanisms of action and engineering CAR-T cells for improved function in the tumour microenvironment. This project will use breast and prostate cancer model systems to explore the project aims, plus the lab’s innovative approaches to CAR-T cell engineering. The suitable candidate will have a BSc(hons) PhD with prior experience in immunology, a molecular cloning and cellular immunology background is an advantage. The position will be supervised by Dr Joe Zhu and Professor Paul Neeson.
Enterprise Agreement
Allied Health Professionals
Classification or Salary Range
1RA6-1RA10
Immunisation Risk Category
Category A: Position involving direct patient contact, potential for exposure to blood, body fluid, human tissue specimens during course of a normal working day.
Key Relationships
Internal:
• Research Division and other PeterMac staff
• Paul Neeson as Lab Head
• Joe Zhu as post-doc supervisors on the project
• Joe Trapani as Cancer Immunology program head
• Owen Banks as cluster 4 laboratory manager
External:
• Small animal imaging group leader
• Core facility staff including Animal Facility, FACS, CAHM, genomics
Skills
Essential Requirements
• A BSc (hons) PhD preferably with experience in immunology, molecular or cellular biology
• Prior experience with molecular cloning and protein engineering
• Prior tissue culture experience
• Experience in T cell function assays
• Careful and precise experimental technique
• Animal handling
• Accurate analysis and interpretation of data
Desirable Requirments
• Prior experience with CAR-T cells
• Prior experience with animal tumour or infection models
• Prior experience with flow cytometry
• Prior experience with gene editing technologies
Key Accountabilities
1. Performing experiments to a high standard
• Ability to follow and understand instructions
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to work with limited supervision
• Careful, accurate and timely record keeping
• Follow guidelines for systematic data storage
• High level of integrity and ethics
• Hard working with high level work ethic
2. Communication of research outcomes
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and the Research Division
• Participation in lab meetings, cancer immunology program and VPCC meetings
• Presentation of results to other members of the laboratory
• Presentation of results at local, national and international meetings
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Perform data analysis and prepare figures and for 3-monthly project team meetings, plus figures for a written project annual update
• Write manuscripts for peer review
• Provide data for a final report on completion of the project
3. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues
• Development of a good working relationship with others in the laboratory and Research Division
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to help others in lab as required
4. Training of junior staff/students
• Teaching of relevant techniques to new staff
• Accurate recording of protocols to ensure reproducibility of experiments
• Supervision of students
5. Abides by OHS requirements
• Complies with Infection Control policies and procedures 100% of the time
• Completes incident reports 100% of the time and responds appropriately to OH&S incidents
• Attends Health & Safety training on emergency procedures annually and is capable of identifying emergency equipment in place
• Follows established procedures
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this requirement.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
