YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Research Assistant/Junior Postdoc - Christie Lab
- Full-time position - 24 months, fixed-term
- 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs
- Level A (1RA1-1RA10) $73,762.00 - $105,846.00 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
An exciting opportunity exists for a motivated and highly skilled Research Assistant or Junior Postdoc to join the Christie Lab within the Cancer Evolution and Metastasis program at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our research investigates how ovarian and endometrial cancers develop resistance to therapy, and on identifying strategies to prevent or overcome treatment failure.
The position requires a highly motivated, well-organised and skilled person capable of working in an independent manner within an existing team.
The successful candidate will hold a postgraduate degree (PhD, Masters or equivalent) in Genomics, Bioinformatics or similar with a demonstrated knowledge of cancer genomics. With demonstrated experience in the analysis of a range of next-generation sequencing data including single cell/nuclei RNA sequencing, the candidate will be capable of developing bioinformatics workflows/pipelines, visualisation of results and statistical analysis.
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:
- Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
- Discounted health insurance and eye care
- A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
- Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
- Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
- Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
- Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs
- Flexible, hybrid working practices
Inclusion and belonging
Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.
Join us!
If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter and response to selection criteria outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Liz Christie
Email: liz.christie@petermac.org
Applications Close: 14 June 2026
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An exciting opportunity exists for a motivated and highly skilled Research Assistant or Junior Postdoc to join the Christie Lab within the Cancer Evolution and Metastasis program at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our research investigates how ovarian and endometrial cancers develop resistance to therapy, and on identifying strategies to prevent or overcome treatment failure. The position requires a highly motivated, well-organised and skilled person capable of working in an independent manner within an existing team.
In this role, you will contribute to an NHMRC-funded project exploring cancer cell persistence in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). You will analyse cutting-edge single cell and spatial transcriptomics data from patient samples to generate insights into treatment response, evolution and resistance. You will be responsible for implementing best-practice bioinformatics workflows, and where required developing innovative new computational methods. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team and have opportunities to contribute to additional projects within the lab.
Allied Health Professionals 2021-2026
Level A (1RA4-1RA6) depending on experience and qualifications
Category B: Position unlikely to have contact with blood or other body fluid
Internal
- Supervisor: Dr Liz Christie
- Christie Lab staff and students
- Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS) staff
- Cluster 6 and other Research laboratory staff and students
- Core Research facilities staff
- Other Peter Mac staff and students
External
- Staff from other research institutes
- External collaborators
- Suppliers
Essential requirements
- Postgraduate degree (PhD, MSc or equivalent) in Genomics, Bioinformatics or similar
- Demonstrated knowledge of cancer genomics
- Experience in analysis of a range of next-generation sequencing data including single cell/nuclei RNA sequencing, and appropriate use of statistical methods
- Demonstrated experience developing and/or maintaining bioinformatics analysis workflows/pipelines and visualisation of results.
- Excellent R programming skills and experience with LINUX and shell scripting.
- Ability to execute jobs in high performance computing cluster environments, e.g. via torque/slurm workload manager.
- Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills, interpretation of bioinformatic results and ability to troubleshooting data anomalies and optimising bioinformatics workflows.
- Demonstrated capacity for independent research, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- High level organisational, communication, interpersonal and time management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to generate high quality research, including experience in preparing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
- Willingness to undertake general laboratory duties, and to learn new techniques.
Desirable requirements
- Experience in ovarian cancer research.
- Experience in Python programming.
- Experience working with cloud computing, containers and workflows (Nextflow/CWL/WDL).
- Experience in retrieving and integrating data from public bioinformatics resources.
- Experience working in highly multidisciplinary teams, spanning wet and dry laboratory and clinical research.
- Experience in disseminating data at national or international meetings.
- Wet-lab skills in molecular biology techniques, sequencing library prep, cell and tissue culture.
Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated by/ Key Performance Indicators
1. Conducts rigorous, valid and ethical research both independently and as part of the laboratory team
- Competently carries out experiments and data analysis that fulfil the aims of the projects
- Excellent technical skills and eye for detail
- Accurate analysis and interpretation of data
- Willingness to learn, and ability to understand and follow instructions
- Ability to work independently, including identifying areas where extra support is required
- Work as an effective and collaborative member of the lab, including willingness to support other lab members to facilitate ongoing research projects
- High level of integrity and ethics
- Complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
- Careful, accurate and timely record-keeping
2. Communication of research outcomes
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and research division
- Regular attendance and active participation at lab and program meetings
- Presentation of research results at lab meetings
- Ability to summarise findings in scientific reports, publications, or visualisations (e.g., using R/Shiny, Python/Plotly, ggplot2)
- Writing and publishing of scientific papers
- Oral and poster presentations at conferences
3. Input into the administrative and management functions of the laboratory, including supervision of staff and students
- Provides help and regular feedback to Christie lab staff and students
- Where appropriate, contribute to supervision of students
Key Accountabilites
Demonstrated by/ Key Performance Indicators
4. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues
- Good working relationships with others in the laboratory, the CEM program and the wider Research Division
- Ability to work in a team in a collaborative way and form excellent and respectful relationships with others
- Willingness to help others in lab as required
- Contribute to a positive research culture that fosters open communication and accountability
5. Compliance with Research Policies and Procedures
- Demonstrate compliance with Peter Mac research expectations, policies and a commitment to Peter Mac values
- Ensure processes and standards are implemented consistently including compliance with Peter Mac’s Research data management procedures
- Maintain up-to-date records of all mandatory and job-specific training
- Commitment to inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace culture
- Participates in annual performance development and review.
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
