Research Scientist – Translational Prostate Cancer

Req ID: 7877

Date: 6 Oct 2026

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: Translational Prostate Cancer

Division: Cancer Research

Department: Laboratory Research

Enterprise Agreement: Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect

Translational Prostate Cancer

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Research Scientist – Translational Prostate Cancer

2-year fixed-term, full-time position available.
80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs.
Up to $99,725.00 - $144,413.00 base salary per annum (depending on qualifications and experience) - Research Academic Level A/B Equivalent.

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

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist position in the Translational Prostate Cancer Research Laboratory (TPCR) at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The selected candidate will join a large multidisplinary team developing novel imaging and diagnostic agents (Theranostics) and composed of experts in peptide chemistry, radiochemistry, tumour biology, biochemistry, cancer imaging and nuclear medicine based across multiple departments (Research, Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and Nuclear Medicine).

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Research Scientist with a background in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will drive the characterisation of various radiolabelled theranostic ligands in vitro and ex vivo. Experience in cell-based assays (ligand binding and functional assays) of radiopharmaceutical and radiotracers is required.

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 cover 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: A/Prof Luc Furic

Email: luc.furic@petermac.org

Applications Close: 11.59pm Wednesday 21 October 2026.

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Position Summary

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist position in the Translational Prostate Cancer Research Laboratory (TPCR) at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The selected candidate will join a large multidisplinary team developing novel imaging and diagnostic agents (Theranostics) and composed of experts in peptide chemistry, radiochemistry, tumour biology, biochemistry, cancer imaging and nuclear medicine based across multiple departments (Research, Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and Nuclear Medicine).

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Research Scientist with a background in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related discipline . The successful candidate will drive the characterisation of various radiolabelled theranostic ligands in vitro and ex vivo. Experience in cell-based assays (ligand binding and functional assays) of radiopharmaceutical and radiotracers is

required. A background in radiochemistry is not required.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals

Classification or Salary Range

1RA7 - 1SR7

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	Prof. Luc Furic Members of the lab Staff members of research core facilities · Cancer research division staff and students
External	Staff and students from other research institutes · External contractors and sales representatives

Skills

Essential

Required Skills & Experience
· Education: PhD in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related field.
· Assay Development: Proven hands-on experience running cell-based assays and binding experiments.
· Competency in mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry.
Familiarity with graphing and analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) to calculate pharmacological properties.

Desirable

Desired Skills & Experience
· Radiolabelling: Experience with radioisotope labelling of peptides and/or antibodies.
· Analytical QC: Familiarity with radio-HPLC or standard HPLC for quality control of compounds.
· Kinetics Platforms: Experience using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) or similar binding-kinetics platforms.
· Immunoassays: Experience running ELISAs or other plate-based immunoassays.
Molecular Biology: Basic molecular biology skills (e.g., cloning, protein expression)

Key Accountabilities

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 that fulfil the aims of the projects Excellent technical skills and eye for detail Accurate analysis and interpretation of experiment results Willingness to learn and follow instructions Ability to work independently and identify areas where extra assistance is required Regular attendance at group and program meetings High level of integrity and ethics Complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
2. Communication of research outcomes	Provide assistance in the writing and publishing of scientific papers Presentation of research results at lab meetings Participation in discussions, lab and program meetings Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and the Research Division Excellent oral and written communication skills

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
3. Input into the administrative and management functions of the laboratory, including supervision of staff and students	Contributes to discussions, lab, hub and program meetings Provides help and regular feedback to staff and students Contributes to research-based grant and fellowship applications
4. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues	Good working relationships with others both within the laboratory and within the institute Ability to work in a team Willingness to help others in lab as required

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.