Senior Research Associate - M Dawson Laboratory
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
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
Senior Research Associate - Mark Dawson Lab
- 2-year fixed term, full time position
- 80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADO's
- Research Academic Level B or C
About the role
Applications are invited to join an exciting multi-discliplinary research program within Mark Dawson’s Laboratory (www.thedawsonlab.com) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. This position is for a senior 1.0 FTE role to support Prof. Mark Dawson with the direct co-supervision of all the students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and technical staff in the Mark Dawson Laboratory.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the daily supervision of the research team. The candidate will be required to responsibly manage the research budget, research grant reports, research ethics, research recruitment, research contracts and performance management of the team in a manner that is complimentary and aligned with Prof. Mark Dawson.
About you
You will be a highly motivated, skilled and experienced scientist with specific expertise in cell/molecular biology, biochemistry, animal models &/or bioinformatics. Experience with people management across various levels of seniority would also be highly valued.
You'll bring with you:
- PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular / Cell Biology or other appropriate qualification
- Minimum 3years post-doctoral experience
- Strong background in cancer research
- Experience in molecular biological techniques
- The ability to independently prioritise and utilise time effectively
- Intellectual contribution to and conduct of independent research within a team
- Experience in the supervision and training of students and/or other research staff
- Oral presentation of research data at local seminars, national and international conferences
- Well-developed communication skills and an ability to interact positively with other scientists and staff
- Recognition by peers of a broad scientific skill base and well-developed specialised area of expertise
- Demonstration of the ability to provide leadership and innovation
- An understanding of the financial management of research funds
- Generation of data for, and writing of, grant applications
- Drafting and submitting of research manuscripts
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 covering letter outlining their interest and experience and also provide their responses against the selection criteria (found in the Position Description under Essential and Desirable Requirements sections) 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: Mark Dawson
Email: DawsonLab@petermac.org
Applications Close: 6 March 2026
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Position Summary
Prof. Mark Dawson will hold a 0.2FTE appointment as the group leader of the Mark Dawson Laboratory based within the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre & Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine.
This position is for a senior 1.0 FTE role to support Prof. Mark Dawson with the direct co-supervision of all the students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and technical staff in the Mark Dawson Laboratory.
This senior position requires a highly motivated, skilled and experienced scientist with specific expertise in cell/molecular biology, biochemistry, animal models &/or bioinformatics. Experience with people management across various levels of seniority would also be highly valued.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the daily supervision of the research team. The candidate will be required to responsibly manage the research budget, research grant reports, research ethics, research recruitment, research contracts and performance management of the team in a manner that is complimentary and aligned with Prof. Mark Dawson.
The successful candidate will be expected to perform (and will consequently be recognised) at the level of a senior and/or corresponding author for all newly submitted manuscripts from the laboratory. This will include (but is not limited to) the conceptualisation of the research, the supervision of the research, ensuring that the research is performed is accordance with the approved ethics of the laboratory, take responsibility for the data quality and research integrity, ensure that the data is managed and stored according to institutional policies. They will oversee the writing of the manuscripts and management of the entire publication process.
The successful candidate will oversee the submission of new grants and/or fellowship alongside Prof. Mark Dawson and in accordance with Peter Mac and University of Melbourne policy.
The successful candidate will represent the laborory at all internal faculty meetings and contribute to the institution in accordance with the expectations of a senior member of the faculty. They will perform and submit the annual appraisals for all the members laboratory
Enterprise Agreement
Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021 - 2025
Classification or Salary Range
Research Level B or C
Immunisation Risk Category
Category B
Key Relationships
Internal:
Research Division and other Peter Mac staff & Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine.
External:
Liaison with researchers from other national and international Institutions
Liaison with clinicians and suppliers.
Skills
Essential Requirements:
- Any current postdoctoral fellow within the Mark Dawson Laboratory with at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience is strongly encouraged to apply.
- Canditates should typically hold.
- An independent fellowship such as Investigator Grant; ARC DECRA/Future or comparable fellowship.
- Published at least one first author manuscript in an area of active study within the Mark Dawson Laboratory
- PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular / Cell Biology or other appropriate qualification
- Minimum 3years post-doctoral experience
- Strong background in cancer research
- Experience in molecular biological techniques.
- The ability to independently prioritise and utilise time effectively
- Intellectual contribution to and conduct of independent research within a team
- Experience in the supervision and training of students and/or other research staff
- Oral presentation of research data at local seminars, national and international conferences
- Well-developed communication skills and an ability to interact positively with other scientists and staff
- Recognition by peers of a broad scientific skill base and well-developed specialised area of expertise
- Demonstration of the ability to provide leadership and innovation
- An understanding of the financial management of research funds
- Generation of data for, and writing of, grant applications
- Drafting and submitting of research manuscripts
Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Generation of high quality, reproducible data through conduction of valid and ethical research |
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| 2. Communication of research outcomes |
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| 3. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues |
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| 4. Human Resource Management |
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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.