Postdoctoral Research Associate in Neurodegenerative Disease

• Full time, fixed term contract for one year with a possibility of extension

• Be a part of a research team who are an ambitious, enthusiastic, cooperative, and dedicated group working towards finding cures for disease

• Base Salary ranging from $105,350 to $140,586 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University is seeking to employee a Post Doctoral Research Associate (Level A and or B) to join the Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, led by Professor Adam Walker, which focuses on molecular, biochemical, cellular, and mouse model studies of the causes and potential treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia.

This position will involve conducting and analysing experiments to understand molecular mechanisms and test potential treatments for ALS/MND and FTD, with a focus on novel pathogenic biochemical pathways and new therapeutic avenues. The incumbent may use techniques including pre-clinical testing in mouse models of disease, and advanced molecular biology and human iPS cell culture systems to study disease-causative biological mechanisms. You will employ a range of techniques including biochemistry, cell culture, lenti-/adeno-associated viruses, immunohistochemistry, advanced microscopy, and analysis of mouse models and human tissue samples, to identify and understand new potential therapeutic targets and to test new small molecules and gene therapies.

As a Post Doctoral Research Associate, your projects will be developed to take advantage of your existing experience while allowing growth and development, with a focus on either in vivo or in vitro studies.

The incumbent will be based in the newly renovated Charles Perkins Centre located on the Camperdown campus. They will work both independently and cooperatively, with access to a dedicated support network and superb neuroscience research facilities, to forge new research directions, make important discoveries, and publish high-profile findings. Support will be provided for career development and leadership opportunities.

The incumbent will be a part of the Sydney Pharmacy School, a globally recognised leading centre for pharmacy research and education. Our teams of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy, across a range of therapeutic areas.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct research, scholarly or professional activity, independently or as part of a team, contributing to discipline knowledge

• develop and refine independent research skills under the supervision of more senior academic staff (with an increasing degree of autonomy)

• ensures quality, standards and excellence are maintained in any research activities and output

• provide informal mentoring and advice to students and other staff within discipline (where appropriate)

• employ a range of techniques such as biochemistry, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, advanced microscopy, mouse models of neurological disorders, and analysis of human tissue samples

• maintains an understanding of the University’s strategic agenda and contributes to furthering that agenda

• contributes to the strategic direction of the Faculty/School/Portfolio as articulated through the Faculty/School/Portfolio’s Strategic Plan/s or equivalent

• contribute to project design, biosafety and ethics applications, grant and funding request preparation, and reporting of findings in scientific and community fora

• undertake other duties and contribute to projects appropriate within the classification level as required.

About you (Selection criteria)

Essential

• PhD in a relevant area of cell biology, neuropharmacology, or neuroscience research

• strong expertise in mouse models of neurological disease (such as in genetically modified mouse colony management, in vivo stereotaxic surgery techniques, peripheral and central drug administration, design and use of viruses such as AAVs, motor testing and behaviour studies, dissection and biochemical and histological analysis of brain and spinal cord, analysis of muscle function, and design and conduct of pre-clinical/proof-of-concept therapeutic trials)

• excellent attention to detail, organisational ability, and record-keeping skills with a high level of motivation, initiative, and problem-solving skills

• a highly inquisitive nature and a strong desire to develop new ideas and research directions, aimed towards making high-impact findings and developing a research career

• excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively 

Desirable

• expertise in molecular and cellular neuroscience (such as biochemistry, iPSC 2D/3D neuron cultures, advanced molecular techniques such as CRISPR, transcriptomics and proteomics, advanced microscopy, bioinformatics and analysis/coding pipelines)

• background in studies of neurodegeneration including ALS and FTD

• proven record of high-profile first-author publications 

• record of success in competitive funding schemes, and prizes and awards for research

• experience in scientific presentation at an international level

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Visa sponsorship may be available for this position. You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the reasons for the position.

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 include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through 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. 

How to apply

Applications 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.

Please ensure your cover letter is clear, concise, addressing the selection criteria and states the type of employment and level in which you wish to apply.

To submit an application for this role please provide the following information:

1. A cover letter which includes a written response to the selection criteria (About you section) addressing your ability to meet the requirements outlined above within the context of the key responsibilities of the role (maximum 1000 words).

2. Your current CV, including two referees.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rachel Ann Yazigi, Recruitment Operations by email to rachel.yazigi@sydney.edu.au. For discussion on scientific and technical aspects of the role, please contact Adam Walker by email to adam.walker@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