The laboratory has pioneered a mounting body of evidence that somatic mutationsin “rogue clones” of B and/or T cells are a key step in the pathogenesis ofautoimmune diseases, allowing these cells to evade normal checkpoints thatmaintainself-tolerance. Until recently, technologies foridentifyingsomatic mutationsin single lymphocytes had limited accuracy and sensitivity, limiting the discovery ofdriver mutations to a subset of autoimmune diseases characterised by unusuallylarge “rogue clones”.New single cell DNA and RNA sequencing technologies,coupled with fluorescent cell sorting and robotic processing of hundreds oflymphocytes, now make it possible to reveal the complete landscape of somaticmutations across the genome ofvery smallclones of cells in blood or biopsysamples.
We are therefore looking to expand the program using thesenew technologiesto arange of common “polyclonal” autoimmune diseases characterised bynumeroussmall clones of B or T cells recognising the driverautoantigens in these diseases. Thiscellular and genomic work is paired with a clinical trials program that translates ourfindings into rationally designed clinical trials.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This role is being created within the Goodnow Lab at Garvan to lead projects andexperimental work with single cell RNA and whole genome sequencing aimed atdeepening our understanding of the role of somatic mutations in the pathogenesis ofhuman autoimmune disease.
The role will work closely with an interdisciplinary team at Garvan, across Sydney,nationally and internationally comprising state-of-the-art core facilities for spectralflow cytometricsorting,single cellDNARNAlibrarypreparation andsequencing,computational analysis ofimmunoglobulin and T cell receptor genes, computational analysis of geneexpression patterns, computational analysis of somatic mutations, synthesisand structural/immunochemical analysis of recombinant antibodies, and experts in theclinical evaluation and treatment of diverse autoimmune diseases.
Salary:Up to $128,000+ 14% super + salary packaging (depending on experience)
Employment Type:2-yearfixed-term contract with possibility to extend
SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS
Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)
Ample opportunitiesfor on-going training and development
Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
Flexible work arrangementse.g. start / finish times
18 weeks paid parental leavefor both parents including paid superannuation
A range ofadditionalleave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, communityserviceand study leave
Discounted Health Insurance
Lifestyle discounts with our community partners
WHAT YOU WILL DO
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position willbe responsible forproviding direction and leadership in ourimmunogenomic program and undertaking primary research in laboratoryimmunology. This will include:
Selectionof autoimmune diseases for project development, experimentaldesign and application of fluorescent sorting and single cellDNARNAsequencing methods under the supervision of Professor Goodnow.
Undertaking and directing primary research on samples from patients withhuman autoimmune diseases. Key experimental platforms include spectralflow cytometry, single cell index sorting into 384 well plates, single cellRNAseq, single cell whole genome sequencing, histology, autoantibodyexpressionand testing for self-reactivity.
Preparation of research proposals for competitive funding bodies, such asNHMRC, MRFF and NIH, as either lead or co-investigator.
Development and refining of research projects for junior staff and students.
Day-to-day management and supervision of junior staff and students.
Contributing to the growth and productivity of the lab by proposing,participatingand overseeing the design,developmentand validation of new assays, andfostering collaborative efforts with other labs,organisationsand companies.
Staying abreast on advances in antibody/TCR repertoire analysis,genomicsand single cell sequencing technology in general,maintainingknowledgeabout human immune testing and personalised medicine.
All staffare required tocomply withGarvan’s Work Health & Safety (WHS)Policy and workin accordance withthe WHS management system at all times.
Other duties as assigned.
ABOUT YOU
KNOWLEDGE,SKILLSAND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
The key skills and experience of a Research Officer include:
PhD degree that has been undertaken in a related area of science, preferablymolecularimmunologyor genomics.
Extensive experience in key methods including flow cytometry and analysis, cellsorting, single-cell sequencing,RNAseq, whole genome sequencing, PCR, in-vitro cell assays.
Experience in recombinant antibody expression and testing by ELISA ispreferable.
Experience in histology (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescencemicroscopy) is preferable.
Ability tooperateindependently, develop and troubleshoot assays.
PhD and/or postdoctoral research experience leading to publication ofhighqualityfirst author and/or senior author and multi-author papers.
Commitment to scientific excellence and integrity.
Experience training and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Ability to develop, manage andmaintaininternal and external collaborations andrelationships.
Highly developed skills in facilitation and meeting leadership.
Highly developed written and verbal communications skills.
Strong project management skills.
ABOUT GARVAN
Garvan Institute of Medical Researchis an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI)in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regardedMRI’s
Our vision is global leadership in discoveries toimpactand our enduring purpose is toimpacthuman health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.
Weseekto see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.
Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’,not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this position, pleasesubmityour application with a CV and cover letter as one document,statingwhy you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you thinkyou’rethe right person for this role,we’dlove to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has been providing outstanding care for Victoria's children and their families for over 147 years.
We are the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria and our care extends to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales and other states around Australia and overseas.
With a passionate, highly skilled and committed staff campus wide of over 5,000, we provide a full range of clinical services, tertiary care and health promotion and prevention programs for children and young people.
We are the designated state-wide major trauma centre for paediatrics in Victoria and a Nationally Funded Centre for cardiac and liver transplantation.
When it comes to training and research we partner with the very best. Our campus partners, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, along with the RCH Foundation, are on site with the hospital in Parkville. Together, we are committed to improving the health outcomes for children today and in the future.
In 2016–17, more than 85,654 children attended our Emergency Department, 322,291 specialist clinic appointments were held which was almost 70,000 more than the previous year, more than 17,000 surgeries were performed and more than 48,552 children were admitted to our wards.
