Project Leader - Strep A Vaccine Program - [Archived Advertisement]

The Telethon Kids Institute is one of the nation's leading medical research organisations with impressive facilities in Nedlands, Western Australia. It is home to more than 700 staff and postgraduate students who are dedicated to tackling the major causes of childhood disease, disability and disadvantage. Our research teams are among the world's best and we have strong affiliations with Perth Children's Hospital and all the major Western Australian universities, particularly The University of Western Australia and Curtin University.

2018 saw the Telethon Kids Institute move to brand new premises within the new children's hospital building at the QEII Campus in Nedlands. The Institute is now co-located with Perth Children's Hospital and housed in state-of-the-art premises with increased space and improved access to leading edge technology and research facilities.

The Opportunity

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced Project Leader with a strategic mindset to oversee the Strep A Vaccine program of work.

Strep A bacteria causes ‘strep throat’ and skin sores which, when left untreated, can lead to fatal and debilitating conditions including rheumatic heart disease (RHD), invasive Strep A diseases such as flesh-eating disease, and toxic shock syndrome. Globally, Strep A is responsible for more than half a million deaths a year – more than influenza, typhoid or whooping cough.

The Strep A Vaccine program is led from the Telethon Kids Institute, with strong collaborations with Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.  The team is part of the larger Strep A, Rheumatic Heart Disease and Skin Health team in the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at Telethon Kids.

Responsible to Program Co-Directors, Professor Jonathan Carapetis (Telethon Kids Institute) and Professor Andrew Steer (Murdoch’s Children’s Research Institute), this is a high-visibility leadership position.

The Role

In this role, you will be responsible for providing scientific and management leadership, strategic oversight and commercial acumen to ensure the delivery of outcomes of the Strep A Vaccine program. 

You will foster excellence in research, oversee all governance activities, provide support to the Co-Directors and advisory boards of the program, engage key stakeholders, and develop and implement operational plans which contribute to the overall success of the program.

Your Experience

You will be an astute, passionate and an experienced leader who thrives under pressure whilst handling competing priorities. Possessing a tertiary qualification (doctoral studies preferred) in medicine, biomedical sciences or a related field, the key to your success will be your experience in the following:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and project manage the development and implementation of complex research projects in the field of vaccine research.
• Extensive experience in health product (ideally vaccine) development, including oversight of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials.
• High level experience working in co-production/partnerships with multiple research partners.

• Maintains good external stakeholder engagement and relationships with the full range of stakeholders including government, non-government and other research partners, including development of commercial partnerships.
• Organisational and communication skills to effectively articulate objectives, progress, and risks.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative research environment with diverse stakeholders in complex regulatory environments.
• Proven experience organising, planning, and executing large-scale projects from strategy through to implementation.
• The ability to lead dynamically and energise multidisciplinary work teams across multiple locations.
• Experience in immunology or an appropriate area of translational research (desirable).
• A track record in research and publishing on relevant research topics (desirable).

In return, you will be rewarded with a competitive remuneration package including salary packaging and the opportunity to be part of a long-standing organisation.

Our aim is to create a workplace where people are respected and encouraged to fulfil their potential. We embrace all employee differences and foster a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

We offer excellent training and development opportunities and generous staff benefits including flexible working conditions, additional annual leave, social activities and a health and wellbeing program.

This is a 4 year full-time contract with possibility of extension.

How to Apply: 
Applicants should read the job description and apply through Telethon Kids Institute new career site: https://telethonkids.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home?c=telethonkids

Please note that applications made directly through SEEK will not be considered.

For further information about this position please contact: Amy Baker

Email: amy.baker@telethonkids.org.au