Research Assistant

Job no: 584420

Work type: Part-time

Location: Melbourne - City

Categories: Technical

• Based in Parkville + hybrid work arrangements
• Part-time (0.8FTE) and 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
• $73,350 - $80,065 + 17% Superannuation

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across five campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, and our dynamic online Campus. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

About the role:

This role supports preclinical psychiatry research through the design and delivery of behavioural neuroscience experiments in rodent models.

The Research Assistant will work across two major projects: “SYNDICAT: synergy for the development of innovative clinical treatments in schizophrenia” and “Prefrontal dopamine in the dynamic processes of learning across lifetime”. The role involves assisting with behavioural training, tissue collection and sectioning, surgeries, tissue processing (e.g. immunohistochemistry), and microscopy imaging in rodents, as well as supporting broader research activities.

You will contribute to a range of laboratory and administrative tasks across these and other projects within IMPACT, in accordance with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. Working closely with investigators and the project team, you will also participate in meetings and support effective communication across the research group.

The role is primarily based at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (Parkville) as an external contractor and occasionally at the Deakin Downtown (Docklands) and the Waurn Ponds campus.

As an Associate Research Fellow, you will:

• Provide assistance towards the organisation of various research support activities and undertake general administrative duties involved in rodent experimentation.
• Execute experiments including but not limited to rodent husbandry, welfare maintenance, behavioural training, tissue collection/sectioning, surgeries, tissue processing (e.g., immunohistochemistry), and microscopy imaging.
• Undertake general administrative duties involved in managing a laboratory.
• Manage or provide significant assistance to the operations of the research laboratory including maintaining laboratory equipment and materials, the disposal of waste and the ordering of supplies
• Data entry and analysis and preparation of results and reports as requested by the manager
• Remain up to date with current literature and methods relevant to the area of responsibilities

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Bachelors in a Neuroscience, Biomedicine, Psychology, Zoology or other related discipline with a and/or other relevant qualifications and experience
• Experience in a variety of preclinical laboratory techniques, with an emphasis on rodent handling and behavioural training experience
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology
• High level planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and set and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team with excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and proven oral, written communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated skills in the coordination of data collection, database creation, data entry and analysis using Microsoft Office and statistical programs

Desirable:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop new techniques, to troubleshoot and interpret data

Here's how to apply:

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

Position Description - Research Assistant.pdf

Applications for this position close on Thursday 11th June at 11:55pm