Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Job Description:

Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Employment Type: 3 Years Fulltime Maximum Term, with possible extension in line with funding
Hours per week: 38
Position Grade: Common Law Contract
Salary: $99,325 - $119,538 AUD salary per annum
Enterprise Agreement Common Law Contract
Department Name: St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital
Location: Sydney, Darlinghurst Australia

About us:

St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research (AMR) conducts world-class applied medical research across the broader St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney campus and beyond. We work to realise our goal of applying discoveries to cure patients and improve their quality of life.

The Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) program is directed to achieve scientific discovery for the prevention and cure of neurodegenerative brain disorders globally. The CNRM effort spans basic laboratory research through to translational and clinical research. With a multi-dimensional approach, and highly ambitious goals across multiple projects, the CNRM requires a motivated postdoctoral research scientist with a focus and experience in protein trafficking and synapses biology to work in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) team under the direct supervision of Professor Bryce Vissel.

About the role:

The position will involve extensive cell biology and cell imaging to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving synapse dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease and to support other cell biology studies in the team. The ideal candidate will therefore be a cell biologist with strong experience in synaptic trafficking studies and would benefit from an understanding and experience of studying post-synaptic excitatory neurotransmission and its regulatory mechanism.

Additionally, the position will involve conception, design and performance of novel projects and experiments and is expected to have experience in neuroscience, specifically, protein trafficking with a focus/experience in synapses biology and synaptic signalling. Experience studying synapses and spines in vitro and/or in vivo with a cell biology and imaging focus would be extremely valuable for this role.The postdoctoral research scientist will be responsible for undertaking laboratory research as directed by Professor Vissel and will generate quality scientific data in a timely and professional manner for submission to high profile journals, under Professor Vissel’s senior authorship.

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will be expected to use their knowledge and expertise to develop innovative ideas and experiments and to maintain knowledge of the relevant literature in order to understand how to apply this knowledge to their own project.

Other aspects of the position will include learning and developing cell biology techniques that may not already be established in the group and subsequent instruction to other lab members. The candidate will play a significant role in assisting the management of CNRM’s Alzheimer’s research including, but not limited to, assisting Professor Vissel with grant writing, budgeting, ethics applications and mouse colony maintenance. 

The position is available for 3 years, with strong possibility of renewal subject to funding. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with qualifications and experience. Negotiations of internal or regional relocations costs will be considered on a case by case basis.

Our Culture:
St Vincent's is committed to employing a workforce that reflects the community we care for. We strongly encourage applications from people that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, sexuality or gender diverse and/or living with disability.

Employment with St Vincent's is subject to you having current immunity status that complies with the Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases - NSW Health Policy Directive (PD2022_030). Appointment and ongoing employment will be subject to continued compliance with this policy directive.

About you:

You will be a cell biologist with strong experience in synaptic trafficking studies who will conduct research to elucidate the mechanisms of AD and to support other cell biology studies in the team. In addition, experience studying synapses and spines in vitro and/or in vivo with a cell biology focus and experience in confocal/FRET/FRAP microscopy techniques would be extremely valuable for this role. Experience and/or knowledge in the AD/dementia field with a strong expertise in cell trafficking and signalling to the synapse is preferred.

You will be willing and able to work with mice and rodents in a number of paradigms including, but not limited to, survival strategies, monitoring and sacrifice, as well as behavioural, surgical, anatomical, immunohistochemical, and molecular biological studies. The ability to enter into regular discussion with Professor Vissel and/or senior members of CNRM on the progress of research aims and the direction of research. It is also expected that the candidate will be collaborating with undergraduate and postgraduate students and research assistants in the CNRM as discussed with and directed by Professor Vissel.
 

Application Instructions:
To have you application considered you are required to upload a current CV/Resume as well as a separate cover letter/document addressing the ‘Selection Criteria’ as below. Internal applicants i.e. current employees of St Vincent’s Hospital or an entity of SVHA are required to apply via their Workday account.

Selection Criteria:

• Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to the Philosophy, Mission and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries and St Vincent’s Health Australia.

• A PhD in Neuroscience or related discipline

• A high level of knowledge in synaptic, protein and signalling trafficking mechanisms and synaptic plasticity theories with the candidate demonstrating experience in the relevant protein trafficking, cell biology and biochemistry, and cell signalling techniques in vitro and in vivo.

• Strong knowledge in Alzheimer’s disease/dementia and associated synapses loss, with demonstrated successful leadership of research projects resulting in first author publications consistent with experience

• Experience in animal research, including colony maintenance and in vivo studies, as well as animal ethics and associated reporting

• Demonstrated experience in confocal, FRET, FRAP or other cellular imaging microscopy techniques

• A proactive approach to problem solving and evaluation, ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and willingness to undertake supervision of students (with previous supervisory experience considered favourable)

• High level of verbal and written communication skills, with previous experience in writing of research papers, ethics applications and research grants considered ideal.

Applications Close: 20 March 2023