Research Assistant - Strep A Pathogenesis And Diagnostics

The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a world-first, Australian-led research project focused on laboratory research to understand bacterial Pathogenesis and host interactions in Group A Streptococcus (Strep A).
The Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostic team aims to understand key aspects of how Strep A infects the tonsils and uses this information to develop improved ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent tonsil infections and other Strep A diseases. This project will complement existing projects focused on the pathogenesis of Strep A throat infections, Acute Rheumatic Fever, antibiotic resistance, development of point of care diagnostics and improved laboratory methods for detection and surveillance of Strep A colonisation.
We are now seeking a full-time Research Assistant to provide a wide range of support to our Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostic team. Additionally, the successful applicant will also provide research assistance to a new project focused on researching individual differences in susceptibility and response to tonsil pathogens. This project will seek to establish a paediatric tonsil biobank to investigate why individuals respond differently to Strep A and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and develop an experimental system to replicate the essential features of the human tonsil epithelium and immune systems.
You will also have the opportunity to be involved in:

• Microbiological culture to grow and characterise Strep A isolates.
• Cell culture assisting in the maintenance of both primary and cell lines.
• Cell infection assays.
• Staining, microscopy imaging and analysis of Strep A infected cells.
• Operational running of the laboratory. Undertaking aseptic laboratory experiments using protocols under supervision.
• Liaising with clinical staff at Perth Children's Hospital to collect clinical samples and processing in the laboratory for biobanking.
• Contributing to research reports and/or papers,
• Receiving, documenting, and storing laboratory reagents, chemicals, and materials as requested.

This position will be based at the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth where you will be working within our state-of-the art laboratory facilities. This role will be offered on a full-time basis for a 2-year contract. Flexibility on contract length and hours will be considered for the right candidate.
About You
This position would suit someone with a Bachelor of Science in a discipline relevant to Microbiology and/or Immunology coupled with an understanding of microbiological culture techniques (e.g., broth and agar culture, handling microbial strain libraries) along with basic Cellular Biology knowledge and experience.
Additionally, it is preferable that you hold the following experience and skill set:

• Strong understanding of aseptic specimen handling.
• Experience in contributing to the experimental outputs of a laboratory.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and work within a team.

We are driving inclusion and diversity as part of the way we work and embrace the diverse career and life experiences of our staff. If you meet a number of the requirements (and not all), we encourage you to submit your application. We also encourage you to address any career disruptions (if applicable) you may have had in your cover letter.
About Us
Our aim is to create a workplace where people are respected and encouraged to fulfil their potential. We encourage a workforce that is innovative, eager to acquire knowledge and enhance skills; we embrace all employee differences, foster a culture that supports diversity and inclusion, and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations where required.
Some of our staff benefits include:

• Additional annual leave over Christmas and Easter.
• Save on tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging up to $15,899 of Living Expenses and up to $2,650 on Entertainment Benefits each FBT year.
• World leader in child health research.
• Early and Mid-Career Researcher Mentoring Program.
• Various initiatives providing strategic support to researchers, including funding support.
• Extensive health and wellbeing program with weekly events.
• Flexible work options.
• Modern offices and end of trip facilities, including sit to stand desks.
• Access to Corporate Health Insurance.
• Staff purchasing discounts including travel, IT Hardware and stationery.

How to apply
If you think that this is the right role and an exciting new challenge for you, please click on 'Apply Now' to navigate to our Career Site to view the Job Description and submit your application.
Your cover letter (no more than 2 pages) should specifically address your skills and experience outlined in the “About You” section above.
Applications will only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with our online portal, please direct your query to recruitment@telethonkids.org.au.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, please direct your inquiries to recruitment@telethonkids.org.au.
Click here for the
Contact Name: Jua Iwasaki
Contact Email:
Closing Date: 16/02/2024 Telethon Kids reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.
The Telethon Kids Institute is committed to being champions of gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, and cultures, including: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities and people living with disability. As such we are a proud Bronze award recipient of the first Australian Athena Swan Science in Australia Gender Equity pilot program.
We acknowledge that when working in environments which contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, it is imperative that Aboriginal people are at the forefront of this work. We have launched the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Strategy to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and researchers employed in the Institute who provide guidance and support in our work in Aboriginal health.
The Telethon Kids Institute is one of the nation's leading medical research organisations. We are home to a diverse team of more than 1000 staff and postgraduate students dedicated to improving child health and development.
Based within the Perth Children's Hospital at the QEII Medical Centre campus in Nedlands, Western Australia, our purpose-built facility includes state-of-the-art laboratories, collaborative workspaces, clinical suites, and meeting spaces with access to leading-edge technology and research services.
Our research teams are among the world's best, and we have strong affiliations with the children's hospital and all the major Western Australian universities.
*The successful candidate will be asked to provide a satisfactory National Police Check (obtained within the last 3 months) prior to commencement*