Research Officer - Malaria Vaccines - [Archived Advertisement]

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the development of vaccines for malaria using mRNA technology, which is part of a broader mRNA vaccine program at Burnet Institute.

The program involved external academic and industry collaborations. The aim of the program is to optimise and develop promising malaria vaccine candidates as mRNA vaccines and to identify new candidates that could undergo accelerated development using mRNA vaccine technology. The postdoctoral researcher will work with a multi-disciplinary team, benefiting from broad expertise in malaria, vaccinology, microbiology and infectious disease immunology.

The project will involve laboratory-based research in performing immunoassays, protein expression, vaccine design and evaluation, and data analysis.

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a 0.8 – 1.0 FTE position, initially for a 2-year period with the possibility of extension. Flexible working hours and the option of part time working from home will be provided.

Let’s talk about you

The following are essential requirements:

• A Bachelor qualification in a relevant field (in biological or health sciences)
• A PhD in a relevant field
• Experience in laboratory-based biomedical research in infectious diseases, immunology, or vaccinology
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and collaborate with others
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Competent with Microsoft Office Suite and basic skills in statistics

The following experience is preferable:

• Experience in the field of malaria or other infectious diseases, and/or vaccinology
• Experience with immunoassays and/or protein expression and analysis

The Burnet experience…

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – achieving a more equitable world through better health. Hear from some of our talented staff about their career journeys at Burnet here!

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues.  Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Statement addressing the selection criteria (as outlined above and in the attached position description)
• Resume

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday, 19^th February 2023. Applications not including responses to the selection criteria will not be considered.

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or National Police Check. Australian working rights and evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19 will also be required.