• Exciting opportunity to contribute to the work of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics
• Located at the Brain and Mind Centre, Mallett St Campus, affiliated with the Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health
• Full-time, 3 year fixed term opportunity; base salary $92K - $123K p.a plus superannuation

About the opportunity 

The Lambert Initiative is an Australian first in the field of medicinal cannabinoids. We are targeting a range of conditions including paediatric epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, obesity, neurological, and mental health disorders.

Our aim is to optimise safe and effective cannabinoid therapeutics into mainstream medicine in Australia and beyond to deliver long overdue benefits for patients and to alleviate suffering.

We are now seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Level A) / Research Fellow (Level B) in Rodent Epilepsy Models who will conduct studies assessing the efficacy of phytocannabinoids and novel cannabinoid-derived compounds in animal models of epilepsy. You will have the opportunity to plan, develop and lead research projects and implement best-practice research methods in modelling of paediatric epilepsy in rodents. You will be expected to make an independent contribution to research in a relevant area.

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 Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Fellow who has:

• A PhD in pharmacology, neuroscience or a related biomedical discipline
• a history of research evidenced by peer reviewed publications
• demonstrated knowledge of research governance and regulation, including ethics
• extensive experience in conducting studies using rodent models of epilepsy including the quantification of seizure behaviour and/or epilepsy related EEGs in rodents
• experience in performing pharmacological studies assessing the efficacy of anticonvulsant agents
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• excellent organisation skills

Experience in any of the following areas would also be advantageous:

• cannabinoid pharmacology
• breeding and maintaining rodents that provide genetic models of epilepsy in humans
• automated biotelemetry systems for assessing epileptiform activity in rodents.
• patch-clamping or related electrophysiological techniques.
• higher degree research student supervision or co-supervision
• writing and submitting grant applications

About us

For more information about the Brain and Mind Centre please visit: https://sydney.edu.au/brain-mind/

The Discipline of Pharmacology of the University of Sydney is the largest of its kind in Australia, with an extensive range of research programs and well equipped undergraduate teaching facilities. There is a strong and growing research environment in the Discipline of Pharmacology covering a range of research areas including neuropharmacology, pharmacogenetics, pharmacoinformatics and medicinal chemistry, as well as molecular, respiratory, cancer and clinical pharmacology.

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 2449/1218F to apply.

Closing date: 11.30pm, Tuesday 19 February 2019

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.