Senior Research & Development Molecular Scientist

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.   

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Developmental Molecular Scientist is a leadership role within the Cellular Genomics Platform, responsible for overseeing, supporting, and advancing the Platform’s workflow on cellular genomics assays. This includes strategic and operational technology development and implementation, resolving experimental issues, keeping up-to-date of technological developments in the field, and training staff across the platform. The role requires a focus on single cell genomic assays and involves optimising protocols and ensuring world-best practices.

Salary: $95,000 + 11% superannuation + salary packaging

Employment Type: 1 year full time 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/accom)

• Ample opportunities for on-going training and development

• Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment

• Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times etc

• 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

• Assay Development: Lead the design, development, and implementation of new single-cell genomics assays in coordination with senior team members.

• Single-cell genomics: Oversee and execute advanced single-cell genomics assays and troubleshoot complex experimental issues.

• Scientific Strategy: Develop and implement strategic plans in line with technological advances and stakeholder requirements to optimise Platform performance. 

• Technology Adoption: Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies in cellular genomics, and integrate them within the Platform.

• Training and Development: Develop and deliver training programs in line with existing Platform workflows to ensure the correct use of new technologies and assays.

• Documentation and Records: Oversee and maintain detailed records of assay development, and technology innovations.

• Quality Assurance: Establish and enforce quality control measures, optimise protocols to ensure world-best practices.

• Reporting: Regularly communicate progress and results of development projects as part of the Platform’s senior team.

• Experimental Design and Analysis: Lead experimental design, data analysis, and validity checking of experimental results, and troubleshooting.

• Agility: Adapt to emerging needs of the Platform and manage additional responsibilities as necessary.

• Outreach: Lead outreach initiatives, represent the Platform at conferences, and actively engage with the wider scientific community, including Garvan scientists and suppliers.

• General Laboratory Duties: Oversee general laboratory tasks in delivering optimal Platform outcomes.

ABOUT YOU

The key skills and experience of a Research Officer include:

• PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related field with a focus on developmental biology.

• Strong leadership skills, with experience in scientific strategy development and implementation.

• Extensive practical skills in assay development and single-cell genomics.

• Expertise with single-cell genomics assays.

• Strong understanding and familiarity of recent and emerging technologies in cellular genomics.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, particularly in assay development and troubleshooting.

• Proven ability to develop and deliver training programs on new technologies and assays.

• Proficient in using the Atlassian product suite (Confluence and Jira).

• Excellent communication skills to effectively report progress and results.

• Ability to adapt and manage additional responsibilities beyond research and development.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience in leading outreach initiatives and representing the Platform to a broad range of stakeholders.

ABOUT GARVAN

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.

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. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.