Research Flow Cytometrist

Req ID:  7618
Date:  4 Aug 2026
Site:  VCCC (Parkville)
Location: 

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

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

Your Role In Our Future

Research Flow Cytometrist (Junior) – Research Flow Core

  • 12-Month fixed term, full time position (with potential for extension).
  • Up to $73,762.00 (1RA1) - $105,846.00 (1RA10) base salary per annum (depending on skills and qualifications).
  • 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs.


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.

 

About the role

The internationally recognised Research Flow Core is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Junior Flow Cytometrist to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for a post-graduate scientist or early-career laboratory researcher to develop specialist skills in flow cytometry within a leading cancer research environment.

Working as part of a small, highly collaborative team, you will support the core through the operation and maintenance of flow cytometry instrumentation, assist with training and education of researchers, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality flow cytometry services across the institute.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with the operation of flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting platforms (FACS).
  • Support user training on flow cytometry instrumentation and software.
  • Perform routine quality control, calibration, and maintenance of core equipment.
  • Assist with troubleshooting instrumentation and user-related issues.
  • Support research projects through sample acquisition and data collection.
  • Contribute to laboratory housekeeping, documentation, and administrative activities.
  • Work both collaboratively and independently to ensure high-quality service delivery.

 

About You

You will have a strong attention to detail and great organisational skills, with an ability to work effectively within a small team environment.

 

You'll bring with you:

  • A degree in a life sciences discipline.
  • An interest in flow cytometry, immunology, cancer biology, or related biomedical research fields.
  • Excellent communication and ability to engage with various stakeholders.
  • A collaborative attitude and strong work ethic.
  • Experience in flow cytometry, cell culture, molecular biology, or related laboratory techniques will be viewed favourably but is not essential.

 

What We Offer

  • Specialist training in advanced flow cytometry technologies.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge cancer research projects.
  • Mentoring from experienced flow cytometry professionals.
  • A supportive and collaborative working environment.
  • Education through seminars, workshops, and conference attendance.
  • Opportunity to progress to full-time and/or ongoing employment, subject to operational needs and funding availability.

 

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.

 

Application Information

Applicants must provide a cover letter outlining their relevant skills, experience, and interest in the position, together with a current curriculum vitae.

 

Hiring Manager: Eva Orlowski-Oliver

Email: eva.orlowski-oliver@petermac.org

Eva Orlowski-Oliver | LinkedIn

 

 

Applications close: 11.59pm Tuesday 18 August 2026.

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Position Summary

The Research Flow Core is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Junior Flow Cytometrist to support the delivery of high-quality flow cytometry services within a leading cancer research environment. Working as part of a small, collaborative team, the successful candidate will assist with the operation and maintenance of flow cytometry instrumentation, perform routine quality control activities, support researcher training, and contribute to cell sorting and data acquisition services. This role provides an excellent opportunity for an early-career scientist to develop specialist expertise in flow cytometry while supporting cutting-edge biomedical and cancer research.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals

Classification or Salary Range

1RA1-1RA10

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category C

Key Relationships

 Internal • Laboratory Research staff and students
 External  • Nil

Education

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or equivalent
• Flow Cytometry exposure and/or experience
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work within a team and independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent ability to interact successfully with a broad range of stakeholders
• Ability to operate Microsoft Office applications 
• Exposure to multipanel design and analysis 
• Exposure to flow cytometry analysis software e.g. FlowJo / FlowLogic
• Experience/exposure with the BD suite of Flow Cytometers and BD Diva Software
•    Experience with the concept of conventional and spectral cytometry 

•    Experience with the concept of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)

 

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities  Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
1.Performance of Core Facility policy and procedures and cell sorting to a high standard
  •  Efficient operation of daily start up and shutdown procedures of all instrumentation
  • Ensure effective operation of all instrumentation according to predetermined benchmarks
  • Provide high quality cell sorting as per facility requirements 
  • Provide researchers with relevant information to facilitate a successful cell sorting assay
  • Develop and maintain practical skills to ensure a high level of consistency in cell sorting 
  • Partake in general housekeeping laboratory duties (eg. ordering of consumables, etc)
2.Instruments are calibrated and maintained according to standard operation procedures
  • Quality control on all instrumentation completed as per laboratory standard operating procedures
  • Maintenance and troubleshooting of instrumentation ensuring minimal downtime
  • Reporting of instrumentation faults to senior staff 
  • Liaise with external technical support (engineers)/providers in resolution of technical faults
  • Effective communication to researchers regarding service disruptions to reduce impact on research outcomes
3.Foster strong relationships with colleagues
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Development of a good working relationship with others in the Laboratory and laboratory groups
  • Regular attendance at group meetings
  • Regular meetings with supervisory staff
  • Communicate with all staff as appropriate 
  • Willingness to assist and provide technical advice to others in the lab as required
  • Liaise with company representative and technical support (engineers) as appropriate
4.Adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policies and procedures as outlined in the OHS regulations
  • Complies with Biosafety standard operating procedures 100% of the time 
  • Completes incident reports 100% of the time and responds appropriately to OHS incidents
  • Attends Health & Safety training on emergency procedures annually and is capable of identifying emergency equipment in place
  • Follows established OHS 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.