Research Assistant Full-time

Research Assistant

Join us to drive impactful discoveries in infection and cancer immunology and develop your research career. Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

In this role, you will drive hands-on T cell immunology experiments within the Mackay Lab. You will work with techniques such as cell culture, flow cytometry and molecular biology. You will gain exceptional training, mentoring and publication opportunities in infection and cancer immunology.

What you will deliver:

• Design, plan and perform T cell immunology experiments to achieve agreed research milestones and project aims.
• Carry out cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology and mouse handling with high technical accuracy and reproducibility.
• Maintain meticulous experimental records, laboratory databases, inventories, and compliance documentation including ethics and biosafety approvals.
• Support training, mentoring and supervision of students and new staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing laboratory environment.
• Contribute to lab meetings, data analysis and manuscript preparation, actively engaging with departmental seminars and activities.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a BSc (Honours) or BBiomed (Honours) in a relevant biomedical or life science discipline.
• Demonstrate experience handling laboratory mice and working according to ethical, safety and animal welfare requirements.
• Apply or rapidly develop skills in cell culture, flow cytometry and molecular biology techniques.
• Manage experiments, data recording and analysis with strong organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team, supporting colleagues and contributing to shared scientific outcomes.
• Undertake laboratory administration, ordering, equipment maintenance and documentation to support smooth, compliant lab operations.

For more information check out our benefits page!

Based at the Peter Doherty Institute, you will join the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The Mackay Lab investigates tissue-resident T cells, linking fundamental immunology with infection and cancer applications. You will collaborate with leading researchers across the School of Biomedical Sciences and partner hospitals. The team values collaboration, integrity and inclusivity, providing mentoring, cutting-edge facilities and seminars supporting your development.

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Application essentials:

• Visit “apply with us” to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload a separate document addressing the Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description.

Applications close: Tuesday 7 July at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.