Sydney Medical School
School of Medical Sciences
Reference no. 2427/1117

• Provide valued support to research activities of the Discipline of Pharmacology
• Located at the Charles Perkins Centre in Camperdown
• Full-time fixed term to December 2019. Base salary: $65K excluding annual leave loading and up to 17% superannuation

About the opportunity 

The Discipline of Pharmacology in the School of Medical Sciences has a multidisciplinary approach in the study of drugs. There is a strong research environment in the Discipline covering pharmacogenetics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacoinformatics and neuropharmacology, as well as molecular, cancer, respiratory and clinical pharmacology. Collectively, the Discipline attracts over $4 million in competitive grant funding.

The role will support innovative research funded by a NHMRC Program Grant that focuses on marine creatures and their venom, and the potential for use within the field of pain relief. This research is in conjunction with the University of Queensland and RMIT University, and will involve mapping the pain pathways with Northern Queensland cone shell neuropeptides.

The Research Assistant will provide technical and operational support to the Chief Investigator and the team to support the research contributing to this project. This includes preparing relevant materials in collaboration with team members, performing fundamental aspects of research, and facilitating the efficient operation of the research laboratory.

Specifically, the Research Assistant will participate in behavioural and laboratory research techniques, conduct data analysis, maintain data for statistical analysis and contribute to the preparation of publications. The successful candidate will undertake thorough record keeping, contribute to the maintenance of animal ethics protocols, and manage ordering and other laboratory administration.

The experimental requirements include surgical procedures in rodents, the administration of cone snail-derived neuropeptides, testing of the pain-relieving of the peptides, and observation and documentation of the reaction and outcomes of the drug administration.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Research Assistant who has:

• completed a Bachelors level tertiary qualifications in appropriate discipline and/or relevant experience in related field. May also be working towards postgraduate qualifications.
• experience and proficiency in small animal handling, small animal surgeries and injections, and the ability to observe and document nuanced animal behaviour. In addition, experience in small animal surgeries is desirable as a high level of fine motor dexterity will be required for some technical procedures
• the ability to enter and analyse data using database applications
• strong MS Office skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail and internet database searches
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to work both individually and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• high level of written communication skills with demonstrated skills in academic writing. Demonstrated experience in accurate and proficient record management with the ability to produce summary and review reports
• experience in developing and working on research projects, including expertise in using research protocols, experimental design, ethics submissions and grant applications
• working understanding of relevant aspects of the Work Health and Safety Policy and relevant legislation, including Safe Laboratory Practices and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition (2013)
• experience or training in a pharmacology or neuroscience discipline
• other skills such as immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, electro physiology etc.

About us

Since our inception 160 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to diversity and inclusion, and underpin our long-term strategy for growth. We’re Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. Across our campuses, we employ over 7600 academic and non-academic staff who support over 60,000 students.

We are undergoing significant transformative change which brings opportunity for innovation, progressive thinking, breaking with convention, challenging the status quo, and improving the world around us.

How to apply

For more information on the position and University, please view the candidate information pack available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website.  Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number to apply.

Please note: visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other:

As this position is located on a NSW Health site, it is a regulatory requirement to complete compulsory employment checks prior to starting in this position. For more information and instructions, please visit: NSW Health employment requirements.

To undertake this position the successful applicant will need to complete a police/criminal check.  

Closing date: 11.30pm 7 January 2018

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.