The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for a Cellular and Molecular Immunologist to join the Immune Therapies team at Burnet!

You will work as part of the translational research program of the Immune Therapies Group which is applying its discoveries to the development of human therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that activate or control immune effector responses with applications to cancer, inflammation and infectious disease.

In this role, you will:

• Undertake functional characterisation of novel therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in ADCC, phagocytosis, CTL and complement assays of target cell killing as well as in T cell proliferation/activation and cytotoxicity assays.
• Design, implement and develop key assays for antibody function.
• Characterise and evaluate recombinant antibody function and properties by various analytical techniques.
• Liaise with collaborators for the analysis of activities of the therapeutic antibodies and other relevant assistance.
• Develop appropriate SOPs and methods for primary and cultured cell-based assays for novel therapeutic monoclonal antibody function.
• Maintain excellent records, including using full electronic record keeping technology (e.g. LabArchives).
• A more senior appointment will assist with the management and leadership of the R&D program and ensure research program milestones are met.
• Assist with application for research and commercial funding
• Provide expertise to the Immune Therapies Group for the functional characterisation of immune activating or modulating monoclonal antibodies (cellular immunology).

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a 0.8 - 1.0 FTE (optional) position, initially for a 1 year period with the possibility of extension.

Let’s talk about you

The following are essential requirements:

• A postgraduate degree or equivalent employment experience in relevant aspects of protein biochemistry.
• Minimum of two years’ work experience in the field.
• Strong track record in immune effector function of human leukocytes, particularly NK cell-mediated ADCC, phagocytosis, cytokine release and/or T cell activation and cytotoxicity.
• Experience in flow cytometry.
• Expertise in various analytical techniques such as ELlSA, SPR or BLI and enzyme activity assays.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise from multiple activities and fulfil defined milestones and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain excellent records, including using full electronic record keeping technology (e.g. LabArchives) and databases.
• An ethos of working collaboratively within a research team and problem solving.

The following experience is preferable but nor essential:

• Experience in industry-based research programs. Experience with in vivo preclinical testing.
• Strong track record of protein biochemistry including a working knowledge of a range of protein purification methods including ion-exchange and size exclusion chromatography, preferably using AKTA systems.
• Experience in transfection and production using Expi transient system.
• Experience in development, validation of methods required for biological product analysis. The creation, development and reviewing of technical documentation (protocols, standard operating procedures, methods and reports).
• Experience in mammalian cell culture transfection for recombinant protein production. Monoclonal antibody engineering, production, purification and formulation.
• The ability to work within cross-functional teams with technical experts in any of immunology, virology, biochemistry and industry.
• Molecular biology, including basic manipulation and purification of DNA, mutagenesis and understanding of expression vector construction.

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:

• Resume
• Cover letter + statement addressing the essential selection criteria (as outlined above and in the attached position description). Responding to preferable criteria is optional.

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT on 11 April 2023. Applications not including responses to the essential 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.