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Postdoctoral Research Scientist Position Available!

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist reports to the Centre Co-Director (Dr James Chong) and is responsible for assisting with projects investigating heart regeneration. This will include but is not limited to the use of various stem cell populations and other regenerative medicine tools. The role will play an integral part in leading the Cardiac Regeneration laboratory’s push towards clinical translation. The broad goals of this program are to translate basic science from the cardiac regenerative field into therapeutic options for patients with heart failure. The Cardiac Regeneration laboratory works closely with the Cardiac Gene Therapy laboratory and joint projects between the groups are common. This includes being affiliated with the University of Sydney to complete this project till January 2026. 

This role sits within the Cardiac regeneration group at the Centre for Heart Research and works closely with key collaborators within the Westmead campus, across Sydney/Australia and internationally. This will provide opportunities to benefit from the rich and diverse scientific environment through our institute and established collaborations. At times this research group will involve graduate students, undergraduate students and research assistants. The successful applicant will be required to provide positive mentorship.

Key areas of responsibility include:

  • Perform procedures for stem cell isolation, propagation/culture and cryopreservation (experience with differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to cardiomyocytes will be advantageous).

  • Develop cutting-edge tools and perform analysis on these to probe pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning cardiac matrix expansion and cardiac adverse remodelling. This may involve but is not limited to imaging mass cytometry, spatial transcriptomics, single cell RNA sequencing of human and animal tissue samples.

  • Assist/perform in animal handling/surgery. The group utilises both small and large animal models and experience with myocardial infarction models will be advantageous.

  • Perform analysis requiring solid grounding in cellular and molecular biology

  • Maintain meticulous records for all experiments and laboratory work.

  • Contribute to generation of publications, grants, ethics submissions and progress reports

  • Strive to obtain objectives and performance measures set for the role. Participate positively in performance and development reviews.

  • Comply with WIMR policies and promote an environment that upholds the WIMR Code of Conduct

  • Other duties as assigned:

    • Act as a mentor and trainer to graduate and honours students.

    • Assist in operational activities necessary for laboratory maintenance (e.g. ordering of reagents, maintenance of reagent databases)

    • Performs work activities relevant to the role’s key accountabilities as approved by the Group Leader, Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory

The successful candidate will have the following:

Experience

  • Suitable postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD) in Science in addition to having experience with skills/knowledge sets listed below.

Skills/Knowledge

  • Experience with cell culture, flow-cytometry/cell sorting animal surgery, molecular biology, histology/immunohistochemistry including confocal immunofluoresence.

  • Experience with stem cell culture and differentiation of stem cells into cardiac lineages.

  • Practical experience with small and/or large animal models of cardiovascular disease is desirable

  • Demonstrated experience in writing research protocols and ethics applications

Behaviours/Attributes 

  • Intellectually curious, team oriented, willing to learn and have a strong work ethic. 

  • An ability to work well within a team and strong writing skills are essential.

Why join us?

  • Be part of an organisation with a strong foundation of encouraging curious, solution focused thinking and collaboration

  • The incredible pride that comes with supporting a team who are literally striving to change the world and save lives

  • Beautiful building incorporating professional café, bike storage facilities, showering facilities, world class equipment and facilities

  • Close to public transport 

  • Not-for-profit ability to salary sacrifice for tax benefits of $15,900 per year (increase your take home pay!)

  • Option for novated leasing

  • Paid parental leave program

  • Access to employee assistance program

Applications close 27 November 2024.

We celebrate and embrace diversity and we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

 
 

Research Assistant Position Available!

Working closely with Co-Centre Director (Prof James Chong), the Research Assistant will assist with experiments investigating heart regeneration. This will include but is not limited to the use of various stem cell populations and other regenerative medicine tools. The role will play an integral part in leading the Cardiac Regeneration laboratory’s push towards clinical translation. The broad goals of this program are to translate basic science from the cardiac regenerative field into therapeutic options for patients with heart failure. The Cardiac Regeneration laboratory is works closely with the Cardiac Gene Therapy laboratory and joint projects between the groups are common.

Reporting to the Co-Centre Director of the Centre for Heart Research, the Research Assistant will work closely with key collaborators within the Westmead campus, across Sydney/Australia and internationally. This will provide opportunities to benefit from the rich and diverse scientific environment through our institute and established collaborations. At times this research group will involve graduate students, undergraduate students and research assistants. The successful applicant will be required to provide positive mentorship.

Some key responsibilities of the position include:

  • Perform procedures for stem cell isolation, propagation/culture and cryopreservation (experience with differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to cardiomyocytes will be advantageous).

  • Assist/perform in animal handling/surgery. The group utilises both small and large animal models (experience with myocardial infarction models will be advantageous).

  • Assist/perform cellular and molecular biology techniques and analysis (experience with histology and imaging will be advantageous).

  • Perform related laboratory maintenance such as maintaining and cleaning equipment and ordering supplies. 

  • Maintain meticulous records for all experiments and laboratory work.

  • Assist with generation of publications, grants, ethics submissions and progress reports.

  • Contribute to the cohesive laboratory environment including attendance and scheduling of meetings/events including representation of the Centre at user group meetings. 

  • Strive to obtain objectives and performance measures set for the role. Participate positively in performance and development reviews.

  • Comply with WIMR policies and promote an environment that upholds the WIMR Code of Conduct.

The successful candidate will have:

Experience

  • Suitable undergraduate degree (e.g. BSc) or equivalent tertiary qualification.

  • Experience with cell culture and aseptic technique (preferably both adult and pluripotent stem cell). 

  • Experience with several molecular biology (flow cytometry, qPCR) and histology (tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy) techniques.

  • Small and/or large animal handling experience (e.g., restraining, anaesthesia, injections). 

Skills/Knowledge

  • Good knowledge of research protocols and demonstrable competence with laboratory techniques described above. 

  • Good knowledge on animal models of cardiovascular disease and animal ethics. 

  • Good understanding of laboratory safety work practice.

  • Understanding of laboratory safety (particularly PC2 requirements) including universal precautions and aseptic technique.

  • Maintain a safe work environment. 

  • Competently skilled with using Microsoft Office.

  • Good time management skills.

Behaviours/Attributes 

  • Intellectually curious

  • Team oriented

  • Capability to take initiative in performing tasks as described above

  • Strong willingness to learn

  • Excellent written, oral and presentation skills. 

Benefits of working for The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

  • Competitive salary + salary packaging benefits for a not for profit (NFP).

  • Convenient location close to Westmead Station.

  • Excellent facilities in the Westmead Medical Precinct including an onsite café.

Applications should include a Resume, and Covering Letter addressing the selection criteria.

All applications will be reviewed but only applications that meet the selection criteria will be considered for short-listing.

Applications close 27 November 2024.

We celebrate and embrace diversity and we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

 
 

PhD Students

The University of Sydney Doctoral Program is a research-intensive course designed to expose you to various aspects of research for career development and learning. You will be expected to perform cutting-edge and innovative research, keep abreast of the current literature to stay on top of current research published in the field, develop and pursue independent projects, perform experiments in the lab, and present in conferences. You can complete the degree in up to 4 years, during which time you will undertake research culminating in the submission of a thesis.

At the Chong Laboratory, we are focused on bringing our research from bench to bedside, if translational research and making an active impact on patients is what interests you, you will find our lab to be the perfect choice for your PhD candidature.  We work with several collaborators all around the world, and we aim to ensure our students acquire a wide repertoire of laboratory techniques.

Our supervisory style places a strong emphasis on great mentorship, with the aim of providing every student with extensive training and plenty of feedback to help mould our students into confident and independent researchers and thinkers who possess good initiative and excellent problem-solving skills.

Experience with the techniques we work with is not essential. It is however essential to be highly motivated with a willingness to learn, to be accepting of feedback, and a team player.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of undertaking a project with our lab for your PhD, please contact us below or email James Chong.

For more information, please see: https://www.sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/pr/doctor-of-philosophy-medicine-and-health0.html

On how to apply, please see: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/postgraduate-research.html

 

Honours Students

We are always on the look-out for motivated and curious students with a strong desire to learn more to come train with our laboratory for an Honours year. If you’re interested in performing research with a focus on bench to bedside translation for an impact on patients, you’d find our lab to be the perfect opportunity for such an experience for your honours.

During this short period, you will receive extensive training and strong support in the lab, learn to perform data analyses, acquire cruicial writing skills, and feedback to help mould you into a researcher who shows initiative with great problem solving skills to help set you up with strong skills for your future career.

If you’re interested in joining our lab and training with us, please contact us below or send an email to James Chong with a copy of your CV, academic transcript, and your research areas of interest.

If you’d like more information on the honours program at Westmead, see: https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine/pdfs/medical-science-honours.pdf

5 Reasons to study your honours at Westmead: https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/news-and-events/2018/08/01/5-reasons-to-study-honours-in-Applied-Medical-Science-at-Westmead.html



Have a question?

Contact us below, or at cardiacregenerationgroup@gmail.com