Research Assistant - Loi Lab (Immunology)

Date: 28 Jul 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Loi

Division: Cancer Research

Department: Laboratory Research

Enterprise Agreement: Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect

Loi

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

Research Assistant - Loi Laboratory

12-months fixed term, full time
80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs
Attractive salary packaging offers available

About the role

The position requires a highly motivated research assistant. They will be responsible for providing daily health monitoring to experimental mice in an efficient manner and being involved with ongoing experiments including, tumour measurements, drug dosing and data collection. They will also be involved in blood and tissue work, particularly involving immunology techniques such as tissue processing for flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

About you

The successful candidate will have completed Bachelor in Science or equivalent, with experience in one or more fields of cellular immunology, human immunology, cell & molecular biology. Experience working with experimental animal models, demonstrated animal handling skills, understanding of regulations, excellent attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills and techniques is also required.

Please note this role requires the ability to work as part of a team, or independently with the flexibility in task-sharing in order to progress research outcomes, including contributing to a weekend and public holiday roster and/or out of hours work (time in lieu).

The ideal candidate will meet the following essential requirements:

BSc (Hons) or equivalent in relevant scientific field
Immunology knowledge
Experience working with experimental animal models and demonstrated animal handling skills.
Willingness to learn new skills and techniques, particularly animal surgeries.
Effective organisational and time management skills.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and across multiple projects.
Excellent attention to detail.
Passion for cancer science research

The ideal candidate may also display the following desirable skills:

Immunology background, experience in flow cytometry, PBMC, blood and immune cell processing.
Experience in histology techniques, including tissue processing, sectioning and staining of FFPE sections
Experience with drug administration techniques such as oral gavage and intraperitoneal injection.
Experience in colony management, including transgenic and knockout strains.
Experience in molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RNA sequencing techniques)
Accurate knowledge of animal health and welfare checks and ethical requirements.
Basic understanding of compliance regulations including POCTA Act, AQIS, PC2 & OGTR and Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

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 and monthly ADOs

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 resume and covering letter 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: Sherene Loi

Contact Number: 03 8559 5935

Email: jeannette.parrodi@petermac.org

Applications Close: 12 August 2025

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Position Summary

The position requires a highly motivated research assistant. They will be responsible for providing daily health monitoring to experimental mice in an efficient manner and being involved with ongoing experiments including, tumour measurements, drug dosing and data collection. They will also be involved in blood and tissue work, particularly involving immunology techniques such as tissue processing for flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

The successful candidate will have completed Bachelor in Science or equivalent, with experience in one or more fields of cellular immunology, human immunology, cell & molecular biology. Experience working with experimental animal models, demonstrated animal handling skills, understanding of regulations, excellent attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills and techniques is also required.

Please note this role requires the ability to work as part of a team, or independently with the flexibility in task-sharing in order to progress research outcomes, including contributing to a weekend and public holiday roster and/or out of hours work (time in lieu).

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement

Classification or Salary Range

1RA1 - 1RA5

Immunisation Risk Category

Category A: Position involving direct patient contact, potential for exposure to blood, body fluid, human tissue specimens during course of a normal working day

Key Relationships

Internal	Loi Lab Animal Manager Loi Lab members, including Postdoctoral Researchers and Head of Laboratory Animal Facility Staff
External	Approved Suppliers/Couriers

Education

Skills

Essential Requirements

BSc (Hons) or equivalent in relevant scientific field
Immunology knowledge
Experience working with experimental animal models and demonstrated animal handling skills.
Willingness to learn new skills and techniques, particularly animal surgeries.
Effective organisational and time management skills.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and across multiple projects.
Excellent attention to detail.
Passion for cancer science research

Desireable Requirements

Immunology background, experience in flow cytometry, PBMC, blood and human tumour immune cell processing.
Experience in histology techniques, including tissue processing, sectioning and staining of FFPE sections
Experience with drug administration techniques such as oral gavage and intraperitoneal injection.
Experience in colony management, including transgenic and knockout strains.
Experience in molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RNA sequencing techniques)
Accurate knowledge of animal health and welfare checks and ethical requirements.
Basic understanding of compliance regulations including POCTA Act, AQIS, PC2 & OGTR and Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators
1. Generation of high quality, reproducible data through the conduction of valid and ethical research	Provides high quality husbandry skills, including accurate monitoring of experimental mice, excellent animal observation and assessment skills. Demonstrated a high level of integrity and understanding of animal ethics and welfare. Careful, accurate and timely record keeping. Involved with ongoing experiments including, tumour measurements, drug dosing and data collection. Ability to harvest tumour and other organs as required, with or without supervision. Ability to follow instructions and experimental plans using established experimental templates. Ability to learn new techniques such as surgical procedures (under anaesthesia), injections (including cytotoxic agents), Perform experimental techniques and provide technical assistance to laboratory members, as required. Demonstrated ability to cross-reference experimental protocols against SOPs, animal ethics approvals and project timelines. Demonstrates understanding of disease control, and a high level of hygiene and tidiness, including maintaining a clean and organised environment and demonstrated flexibility in task-sharing. Attention to detail.
2. Completes work in an efficient and timely manner	Demonstrates time management skills, meets time-dependent experimental deadlines and prioritises conflicting workloads. Follows and complies with work schedules. Proven ability to follow and understand instructions. Effective communication and real-time task management.

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

3. Complies with Ethical Standards and policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)

Complies with Peter Mac Code of Practice.
Demonstrates an understanding of Animal Ethics regulations, compliance with regulations including POCTA Act, AQIS, PC2 & OGTR and Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.
Maintain high animal ethical standards, adherence to all required regulations, processes and procedures, compliance with all animal welfare obligations, SOPs, biohazard safety, laboratory safety and general safe work practices.

4. Effective teamwork and ability to communicate research outcomes

Work effectively as a team member or independently, with or without supervision for long periods of time and across multiple projects.
Active participation in regular laboratory meetings, facility staff meetings and other discussions.
Demonstrates a willingness to accommodate researcher requirements and requests where appropriate, as well as help fellow lab members as required.
Demonstrated willingness to learn.
Wiliness and ability to carry out all tasks at or below classified level.
Effective communication and liaison skills with others in the laboratory, Peter MacCallum staff and research collaborators.

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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.