Research Officer - Cancer Invasion And Metastasis

Garvan's 2030: Discoveries to Impact Strategy is designed to galvanise Garvan's researchers, professional staff, partners, donors and community around our vision of Global leadership in discoveries to impact, and to enable us as an Institute to deliver on that vision - such that Garvan becomes an institute where research discoveries are taken through to patient impact (new treatments, tests and prevention approaches), on a global scale.
The Opportunity
We are currently seeking a talented and driven Research Officer to join the Cancer Invasion and Metastasis group. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a highly novel and collaborative project investigating the translation of CAR T-cell therapy to the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Our lab uses intravital microscopy to systematically define the cellular changes inside the tumour microenvironment that facilitate efficient T cell entry in tumours. Live imaging deep within the tumour allows us to see, in real-time, the effects of drugs, showing how, when and where T cell trafficking occurs in vivo and to study the critical events that drive this process, providing new insights into how cells behave, thereby improving our understanding of disease progression.

The role will be reporting to Professor Paul Timpson (Cancer Invasion and Metastasis group).
The Research Officer, Level 1 to 3, is accountable for conducting independent experiments within their Research Platform in a collaborative framework with their supervisor. In principle, an RO conducts research work under guidance from a more senior scientist and they would be demonstrating increasing independence as they progress from RO1 to RO3.
RO Salary: From $92,300 + 14% Super + salary packaging
Employment Type: Full time 2-year Contract
Snapshot of benefits

• Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accommodation)
• Ample opportunities for on-going training and development
• Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
• Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times
• 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation
• A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave
• Discounted Health Insurance
• Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

What you will do
The researcher will work with members of our team to investigate cellular changes that occur in the tumour microenvironment during T-cell invasion in prostate cancer using in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models, syngeneic mouse models and 3D platforms. This is a NHMRC-supported collaborative project between prostate cancer experts, intravital imaging experts, immunologists and clinicians.
The Research Officer will conduct original research under limited supervision, and be required to make contributions in the many of the following areas:

• Completion of research projects in an efficient and timely manner, with outcomes published under joint authorship in peer-reviewed journals
• Contribution to team and Garvan research projects
• Presentation of original research at national/ international scientific conferences, and as invited to seminars locally and/or nationally
• Co-supervision and mentoring of students and junior research staff
• Provision of supervisory assistance in preparation of research grant proposals, including contribution of data
• Play an increasing role in the development of research projects and collaborations
• Contribution to improvements in techniques, quantitative methods and quality control

About you
We seek a highly motivated, creative and diligent PhD postdoctoral fellow. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in intravital imaging and a strong background in molecular and cellular biology. The key skills and experience of a Research Officer include:
Essential criteria

• PhD or BSc Hons in a relevant biological subject (molecular biology, biochemistry or related)
• Significant research laboratory experience in a wide range of standard molecular and cell biology techniques including sterile techniques and tissue culture
• Ability to rapidly learn new techniques and to tackle experimental bottlenecks creatively
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills with and good understanding of basic statistics
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Be well organised and a good time manager with sound administrative abilities
• Demonstrate a capacity to work collaboratively with researchers across laboratories

Desirable criteria

• Significant research laboratory experience in working in cancer mouse models, ideally in prostate cancer or cancer immunology
• Experience in microscopy (confocal and intravital microscopy) will have a competitive advantage
• Experience in submitting and handling animal ethics applications
  

How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document, stating why you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you think you're the right person for this role, we'd love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart.