Research Assistant (Centre for Molecular Oncology)

Research Assistant (Centre for Molecular Oncology)

Employment Type: Full - time (35 hours a week)

Duration: Fixed Term contract until 31st May 2027

Remuneration: $88,717 base, plus 17% superannuation and leave loading

Work rights required: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.

Location: Hybrid, Kensington, Sydney

The Organisation

The Centre for Molecular Oncology is a new research centre established within the School of Biomedical Sciences at UNSW which is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of cancer. The Centre applies basic, translational and clinical approaches to understanding cancer biology through patient-centred discovery programs and uses this information to improve patient outcomes through clinical trials.

Details of the role

A Research Assistant plays a key role in supporting clinical research projects as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers in clinical research. The Research Assistant plays a key role within the School of Biomedical Sciences Centre for Molecular Oncology, specifically to coordinate activities for patient participation associated with the Cancer Screening Program (CaSP) nationally. This will include contact across multiple stakeholders that may include patients, liaison with clinicians, pathology/sequencing laboratories and medical services, data quality checking and study reporting.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute directly to nationally significant cancer research that has real-world impact on patient care and outcomes. Working within a collaborative molecular oncology environment, you will support the coordination of patient participation, biospecimen management, and clinical data collection across multiple stakeholders. You will engage regularly with patients, clinicians, and laboratory partners, playing a key role in ensuring studies are delivered efficiently, ethically, and to a high standard. The position suits a detail-oriented research professional who enjoys working at the interface of science, clinical practice, and patient engagement, and who is motivated by contributing to high-quality translational research.

The Research Assistant reports to the Senior Program Manager and has no direct reports.

Note this role does not include any wet laboratory work.

Some key skills required:

• Relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/ or experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation, coordination and management of clinical research projects will be highly regarded.
• Communicate with patients about CaSP and other research projects and obtain informed consent.
• Coordinate preparation, tracking and receipt of biospecimens and liaise with pathology services to obtain tumour samples, organise sample transfer and storage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with a proven capacity to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated and applied knowledge/understanding of HREC and governance applications.