Postdoctoral Researcher - Delconte Laboratory

Date:  14 Jan 2026
Site:  VCCC (Parkville)
Location: 

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company:  Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Unit:  Delconte
Division:  Cancer Research
Department:  Laboratory Research
Enterprise Agreement:  Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect
Delconte

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.

 

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

 

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER - Delconte Lab

 

  • Level A appointment, dependent on qualifications and experience
  • 2 year fixed term, full time position
  • 80 hours per fortnight, includes monthly ADO
  • Attractive salary packaging options available

 

About the role

An opportunity exists for a motivated and highly skilled postdoctoral scientist to join the Delconte Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our research program investigates how dietary interventions and tissue-specific metabolic cues shape Natural Killer (NK) cell biology and anti-tumour immunity. In this project, the successful candidate will employ a combination of in vivo dietary models, tumour immunology approaches, metabolic assays and multi-omics analyses to define how metabolic rewiring influences NK cell function across tissues and within the tumour microenvironment. Suitable applicants will have experience in cancer immunology and/or metabolism. Skills in flow cytometry, cell culture, metabolic profiling, bulk and single-cell RNAseq analysis are desirable.

The position will provide an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a growing research program at the interface of immunometabolism and cancer immunotherapy under the supervision of Dr Rebecca Delconte.

 

About you

The successful candidate will have strong time management skills and a sound experience in perparing draft manuscripts for publishing work in scientific journals.

You'll bring with you:

  • PhD, preferably in Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology or Immunometabolism
  • Experience in disseminating data at both national and international meetings
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision and independently.
  • Strong expertise and knowledge in Molecular biology, Flow Cytometry, Cell Culture, Immunological and Metabolic assays
  • Expertise and ability to undertake General laboratory duties

Experience with In vivo immunology and knowledge in bioinformatics analysis will be an advantage.

 

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 & monthly 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, resume 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: Dr Rebecca Delconte

Email: Rebecca.Delconte@petermac.org 

 

Applications Close: 28 January 2026
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Position Summary

An opportunity exists for a motivated and highly skilled postdoctoral scientist to join the Delconte Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our research program investigates how dietary interventions and tissue-specific metabolic cues shape Natural Killer (NK) cell biology and anti-tumour immunity. In this project, the successful candidate will employ a combination of in vivo dietary models, tumour immunology approaches, metabolic assays and multi-omics analyses to define how metabolic rewiring influences NK cell function across tissues and within the tumour microenvironment. Suitable applicants will have experience in cancer immunology and/or metabolism. Skills in flow cytometry, cell culture, metabolic profiling, bulk and single-cell RNAseq analysis are desirable. The position will provide an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a growing research program at the interface of immunometabolism and cancer immunotherapy under the supervision of Dr Rebecca Delconte.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2026

Classification or Salary Range

Level A: 1RA6-1RA10

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category A

Key Relationships

Internal: Staff and students within the research division

External: Researchers from other research centres

Education

Skills

Experience in:

  • PhD, preferably in Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology or Immunometabolism
  • Sound experience in preparing draft of manuscripts for publishing work in scientific journals
  • Experience in disseminating data at both national and international meetings
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision and independently.
  • Strong time management skills
  • Strong expertise and knowledge in Molecular biology, Flow Cytometry, Cell Culture, Immunological and Metabolic assays
  • Expertise and ability to undertake General laboratory duties

Desirable Requirements:

  • Experience with In vivo immunology
  • Experience and knowledge in bioinformatics analysis

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities - Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators

1 - Performing experiments and generating reproducible data at a high standard

  • Carry out experiments and analyse data that fulfils the aims of the project
  • Careful and precise experimental technique
  • Accurate analysis and interpretation of data
  • Ability to follow and understand instructions
  • Willingness to learn
  • Ability to work with limited supervision
  • Careful, accurate and timely record keeping
  • High level of integrity and ethics

 

2 - Communication of research outcomes

  • Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and the Research Division
  • Participation in lab meetings
  • Presentation of results to other members of the laboratory
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

 

3 - Foster a good working relationship with colleagues

  • Development of a good working relationship with others in the laboratory and Research Division
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Willingness to help others in the laboratory as required

 

4 - Training of junior staff / students

  • Teaching of relevant techniques to new staff
  • Accurate recording of protocol to ensure reproducibility of experiments

 

5 - Abides by OHS requirements

  • Compllies with Infection Control policies amd [rpccedures 100% of the time
  • Completes incident reports 100% of the time and responds appropripirately to OH&S incidents
  • Attends Health and Safety training on emergency procedures ennually and is capable of identifying emergency equipment in place
  • Follows established procedures.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

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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.