"Research Assistant"

About the opportunity

We are recruiting a research assistant to join the lab of A/Prof Rachel Tan at the Brain and Mind Centre, where the incumbent will contribute to projects focused on investigating patient biosamples to discover the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis in Motor Neuron Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, and advance biomarker discovery.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• contribute to the design and development of research protocols, ensuring timely execution of research activities
• develop and optimize new techniques for the lab
• train and mentor new laboratory members to maintain high standards of excellence
• provide guidance on research regulations, policies, and procedures, ensuring projects align with standards
• assist with data collection and analysis, ensuring data quality and accuracy
• manage the documentation process for research publications, from drafting to submission, and maintain comprehensive research records
• coordinate with the team to produce quality reports, verify data accuracy within university systems, and actively engage in compliance initiatives to uphold regulations
• undertake other duties appropriate within the classification level as required.

About you

• experience with laboratory techniques including immunohistochemistry, protein analysis (western blotting, proteomics), microscopy, cell culture and molecular biology methods
• expertise in omics data analysis and bioinformatic pipelines would be advantageous
• demonstrated ability to design, conduct and trouble shoot complex experiments involving multiple optimizable variables
• strong organizational and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• self-motivated individual who takes initiative in completing research tasks and exercises sound judgement in troubleshooting experimental challenges
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact, Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email to ajaypal.singh@sydney.edu.au.

©The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Thursday 20 November 2025 11:59 PM