Postdoctoral Researcher - Eckersley Maslin Lab

Date: 29 Jan 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Eckersley Maslin

Division: Cancer Research

Department: Laboratory Research

Enterprise Agreement: Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect

Eckersley Maslin

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) is a Victorian public health service and a world-leading comprehensive cancer centre seeking to excel across all spheres of clinical care, research and education. We have the largest cancer research enterprise in Australia and provide treatment to about 40,000 people with cancer each year. 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 top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Postdoctoral Researcher – Eckersley-Maslin Lab

2-year Fixed-Term, Full-Time position
80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADO's

The Eckersley-Maslin laboratory is offering an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher to join our group at Peter Mac. Our laboratory incorporates a diverse team of researchers dedicated to studying the chromatin and epigenetic regulation of cell identity and adaptation using development and cancer models. We apply our understanding of how cell identity is controlled and regulated during embryogenesis, to better understand how deregulation of these processes facilitate cancer initiation and progression. More information on the research performed in the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory can be found on our website (www.eckmaslab.com).

We are looking for a motivated full-time postdoctoral researcher to lead a new research project in the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory. The successful applicant will be part of a team studying the dynamics and regulation of epigenetic plasticity in stem cell and cancer cell models. This position is responsible for:

Competently designing, carrying out and analysing experiments to fulfil the aims of the project.
Accurate analysis and interpretation of experiment results.
Participating in discussions, lab and program meetings.
The presentation of research results within lab meetings.
Development of good working relationships with others both within the laboratory, the Research Division and wider Peter Mac community.
The supervision of staff and students when appropriate, including demonstrated ability to provide leadership and innovation

This position is:

Fixed-Term, Full-Time
Onsite presence essential at 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Basic Salary Range: $93,002.00 to $113,262.24 AUD
Advertising from 30th January 2025 to 27th February 2025

The successful candidate will hold or have recently submitted a PhD in in chromatin biology, epigenetics, cancer biology, stem cells and/or developmental biology. We are particularly keen to hear from those with strong embryonic stem cell and/or bioinformatic backgrounds. The Eckersley-Maslin Lab uses both experimental and computational approaches with many researchers actively engaged in both aspects, and we encourage applications from researchers across the dry/wet lab spectrum. Together with A/Prof Eckersley-Maslin, the postdoctoral researcher will develop and lead an independent research project based on their interests and expertise that aligns with the research themes of the lab. There will also be opportunities for student mentorship and supervision, access to leadership and career development courses and the possibility to present research findings at national and international conferences. Our research group is collaborative and the postdoctoral researcher will be expected to work with other students and postdocs both within the lab and with external collaborators. We envisage the postdoctoral researcher to be an author on any publications arising from the work they directly lead in the lab. This is an excellent opportunity for those with future independent research leadership career aspirations.

This position is initially for 2 years Full-Time (1.0 EFT) with the option of extension beyond the fixed term with a flexible start date. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. We encourage people of all minority and underrepresented backgrounds, to apply and can accommodate flexible working arrangements. This position is open to both Australian and international applicants.

Applicants must include a cover letter describing their current research and career aspirations, along with their motivation for applying to this position in the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory. They must also address all essential criteria as listed under experience / qualifications in the position description in a separate attachment. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their recent work and meet members of the Eckersley-Maslin lab either virtually or in person as part of the selection process.

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: A/Prof Melanie Eckersley-Maslin
Email: Melanie.Eckersley-Maslin@petermac.org

Applications Close: 27th February 2025

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Position Summary

We are looking for a motivated full-time postdoctoral researcher to lead an independent research project in the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory. The successful applicant will be part of a team studying the dynamics and regulation of epigenetic plasticity in development and cancer models. Candidates should have a deep interest in epigenetics and mechanisms of gene regulation, with strong scientific foundations in cancer biology, molecular biology and/or stem cell biology. We particularly encourage applications from those with bioinformatics and/or stem cell biology expertise to apply. For more information on research projects in the Eckersley-Maslin please visit our website (www.eckmaslab.com) or contact A/Prof Eckersley-Maslin directly.

The successful candidate will recently have (or be close to submitting) a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. chromatin biology, epigenetics, bioinformatics, stem cell biology, cancer biology) with expertise in molecular biology and gene regulation. The successful candidate will be highly organized and capable of leading a research project within an existing team, with excellent organizational and time management skills and a high level of interpersonal skills. We encourage applicants with laboratory-based and/or bioinformatics experience to apply.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and driven candidate to develop their own research project in line with the broader interests of the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory, whilst collaborating with others in the team and beyond. The specific research project will be co-developed between the postdoctoral researcher and A/Prof Eckersley-Maslin, taking into consideration the interests and expertise of the postdoctoral researcher and the latest advances and opportunities in the field of epigenetics and chromatin biology. Current projects are exploring the dynamics and regulation of bivalent chromatin in stem cell differentiation and cancer evolution; CRISPR-screens for drivers of phenotype switching in lung and breast cancer; mechanistic insights of how epigenetic priming factors facilitate cancer progression; and the significance of early embryonic transcriptional signatures in cancer. For more details on the research themes in the lab please visit our website (www.eckmaslab.com) or contact Melanie directly. In addition, the successful candidate will have the opportunity for student supervision and mentoring and will have access to professional development programs and/or international scientific training opportunities. This position is for an initial 2 years with the option to extend long term. The position is expected to result in first author publications and the opportunity to present findings at national and international conferences and is ideally suited for those with independent research leadership career aspirations.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals

Classification or Salary Range

1RA5-1RA7 depending on experience

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category C

Key Relationships

Internal	A/Prof Melanie Eckersley-Maslin Members of the Eckersley-Maslin lab Members of the research cluster and the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Program. Staff members of research core facilities Cancer research division staff and students Internal clinical collaborators
External	Staff and students from other research institutes and universities External collaborators

Skills

Essential Requirements

Recently awarded (<2 years) PhD or (soon to be) submitted thesis in a relevant field (e.g. epigenetics, chromatin biology, stem cell biology, bioinformatics, cancer cell biology)
Strong motivation and ability to lead an independent research project within the vision of the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory including co-design of research proposal, planning and executing experiments and analysing data.
Excellent academic track record including publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals (also including those in press or preprint) as lead author or co-author
Excellent written and verbal communication skills demonstrated by seminar or conference presentations, poster presentations, manuscript preparation and/or fellowship/grant applications
Ability to work independently to design, conduct and analyse experiments to a high standard in a robust and competent manner.
Excellent record keeping and documenting of experimental and computational analyses.
Strong scientific collegiality, including ability to work as part of a team, collaborate within the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory, PeterMac and externally, contribute to scientific discussions, assist colleagues with troubleshooting, share expertise and assist others both technically and scientifically.

Desirable Requirements

Strong scientific foundations in stem cell biology and/or bioinformatic analysis of epigenetic and transcriptomic data.
High level organisational skills, with demonstrated capacity to establish and achieve research and professional development goals
Highly motivated with the willingness, flexibility and ability to develop new skills and learn new concepts
Experience in student supervision, training and mentorship
Demonstrated ability in attracting independent fellowships, travel awards, research prizes or similar.

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
1. Conduct rigorous, valid and ethical research	Competently design, carry out and analyse experiments to fulfil the aims of the project Excellent technical skills and eye for detail Accurate analysis and interpretation of experiment results Ability to work independently and in a team, and identify areas where extra assistance is required Well developed organizational skills and time management capabilities Excellent record-keeping skills including timely documentation of experimental and computational analyses and results Willingness and ability to develop new skills High level of integrity and work ethic completes tasks in a timely and efficient manner
2. Communication of research outcomes	Active participation in discussions, lab and program meetings Presentation of research results at lab meetings, within Peter Mac and externally Excellent oral and written communication skills Prepare and interpret data for the timely publication of research papers Co-author and contribute to the writing of research publications Ability to communicate effectively with others across the laboratory and research division, noting a wide range of roles and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
3. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues	Development of good working relationships with others both within the laboratory, the Research Division and wider Peter Mac community Demonstrated ability to work as part of a research team Help with general laboratory maintenance and undertaking fair share of laboratory chores Willingness to help others in the laboratory and wider Peter Mac community as needed
4. Input into the administrative and management functions of the laboratory, including supervision of staff and students	Supervision of staff and students when appropriate including assisting with project design, training, and reviewing written work, participating in student committee meetings and giving timely feedback and guidance Assistance with ordering reagents and supplies including sourcing quotes, submitting orders, documenting purchases and receiving items Provides help and regular feedback to lab staff and students Assistance with lab administration including ethics application, record keeping and reporting requirements

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Peter Mac requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this requirement.

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.