Research Assistant

PRIMARY DETAIL

Contribute to groundbreaking neurodegenerative disease research and help uncover the mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease and related conditions.

• Salary: From $88,670 per annum (HEW Level 5) plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Appointment Type: 2 full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term opportunities until May 31, 2029
• Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Are you passionate about neuroscience research and ready to make a meaningful contribution to understanding some of the most complex diseases affecting the brain? Macquarie University is seeking a Research Assistant to join the 2IR NeuroHub team, led by Professor Glenda Halliday, within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to provide technical and operational support to laboratory-based neuroscience research focused on mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. You will play a key role in the preparation, processing, and analysis of biological tissue samples to enable research projects that investigate molecular, cellular, and pathological changes associated with disease vulnerability, progression, and treatment.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team investigating topics at the forefront of neuroscience — from the biological mechanisms underlying sleep disorders and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease, to identifying early cellular disruptions in non-Alzheimer neurodegenerative diseases and examining RNA dysregulation and its role in neuronal vulnerability.

Key responsibilities include:

Technical and Laboratory Support

• Undertake routine laboratory procedures including tissue preparation, sectioning, and immunohistochemistry staining in accordance with established protocols
• Prepare laboratory reagents, buffers, solutions, and consumables to support experimental workflows
• Assist with specialised techniques such as antibody-based assays, multiplex labelling, and optimisation of staining protocols
• Maintain laboratory equipment ensuring it is used, maintained, and calibrated per standard operating procedures

Data Collection, Imaging and Processing

• Acquire microscopy images and undertake digital image processing, organisation, and basic quantitative image analysis
• Collect, record, and organise experimental data using defined methods and systems
• Perform anatomical annotation or tissue-based analyses to support project-specific analytical workflows
• Maintain accurate and complete records of tissue samples, experimental procedures, and datasets

Operational and Project Support

• Maintain laboratory facilities, including stock management and ordering of consumables
• Ensure laboratory compliance with biosafety and WHS requirements
• Provide technical support to assigned research projects investigating neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
• Assist with the implementation of experimental workflows and contribute to achieving project milestones

Team Contribution

• Work within a multidisciplinary research team
• Communicate progress and technical issues to supervisors
• Provide support to students and other staff within the scope of the role