Research Assistant - Nanoparticle Gene Therapy

• School of Biomedical Sciences

• Belong to a vibrant community where your work genuinely makes an impact

• Achieve a work-life balance, purchased leave, WFH + more

• Access a range of on-site services, facilities, museums, and events

• Based at the St Lucia campus.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity 

Join our cutting-edge MRFF-funded project as a Senior Research Assistant, where you'll pioneer the development of an inhalable nanoparticle-based gene therapy for cystic fibrosis. This role demands your expertise in cell culture, animal handling, and proficiency in cell biology and biochemistry techniques such as DNA gel electrophoresis, cell imaging, ELISA, and immunochemistry. You'll be a key player, working both independently and collaboratively, showcasing your meticulous lab and record-keeping skills. Your responsibilities will include maintaining the lab, ensuring strict adherence to ethics and OHS standards, and supervising junior staff or students, driving forward this revolutionary treatment.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Conduct DNA nanoparticle formulation and characterization, cell transfection experiments, and cell-based assays using FACS, confocal, and ELISA techniques.

• Expansion of plasmid DNA.

• Undertake in vivo toxicological and biodistribution experiments in rodents after pulmonary dosing, including necropsy and tissue processing.

• Monitor the health and wellbeing of experimental animals including after hours and on weekends and public holidays if required, including handling gamma-radiolabelled material under supervision.

• Maintain lab stocks, OHS compliance records, and ensure the lab is organized and equipment is maintained.

• Contribute to the preparation of research papers, data summary reports, and actively participate in meetings with industry partners and consumer representatives.

• Assist in the supervision of students and junior staff, and prepare animal ethics applications and risk assessments.

• Work to strict milestone deadlines.

This is a full-time or part-time (minimum 0.6 FTE%), fixed-term position for up to December 2026. At HEW level 6, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $88,099.39 - $94,512.08, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $103,076.28 - $110,579.13 annually. As these roles are covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases in line with the Enterprise Agreement.

About You  

• Honours degree in molecular pharmacology/biochemistry or extensive equivalent lab experience, with excellent general lab skills.

• Extensive experience with rodents, including compound dosing, blood sampling, and necropsy, as well as a willingness to work with radioactive materials and mice.

• Proficiency in cell culture, cell-based imaging techniques (FACS and confocal microscopy), and biochemical/cell staining assays (ELISA, immunohistochemistry).

• Experience working with and expanding genetic material (DNA, RNA) and performing DNA gel electrophoresis.

• Proven ability to conduct high-quality experiments, maintain excellent data and lab notebook records, and adhere to OHS rules and SOPs.