Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Employment Type: Maximum Term Full-Time (12 months)
Hours per week: 38
Position Grade: Health Service Manager Level 1
Salary: $81,581.00 - $108,532.00 per annum
Enterprise Agreement: The Named NSW (Non-Declared) Affiliated Health Organisations' Health Employees Agreement 2019
Department Name: St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research (AMR)

About us:
St Vincent's Hospital Sydney is a leading not-for-profit organisation providing health services to our community. Guided by our values of compassion, excellence, integrity and justice, we promote a culture of diversity and inclusion and empower our people to learn, grow and innovate.

St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research (AMR) conducts world-class applied medical research across the broader St Vincent's Hospital Sydney campus. We work to realise our goal of applying discoveries to cure patients and improve their quality of life.

The Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) program is directed to achieve scientific discovery for the prevention and cure of neurodegenerative brain disorders globally. The CNRM effort spans basic laboratory research through to translational and clinical research. With a multi-dimensional approach, and highly ambitious goals across multiple projects, we require a motivated postdoctoral scientist to work on projects with a focus on the molecular mechanisms by which neuroinflammation regulates synapses in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) team under the direct supervision of the CNRM Program Head.

Benefits of working at St Vincent's include:

• Generous salary packaging and Fitness Passport for eligible staff
• Opportunity to access a wide of range of clinical and non-clinical education programs
• Supported post graduate opportunities within applicable fields
• Career development opportunities across the St Vincent's Health Australia Network
• Employee Assistance Program
• Work/Life balance

About the role:
We have an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic team leading our approach to the provision of quality care to clients of the Applied Medical Research.

The position will suite a molecular cellular biologist interested in working on a project directed to study the cellular and molecular biology of synapse dysfunction, specifically spine loss, and the mechanisms by which immune dysfunction drives the spine loss in Alzheimer's disease. The incumbent will also support other cell and molecular biology studies in the team.

This position will involve the conception, design and performance of novel projects and experiments to study inflammatory signaling and mechanisms as it impacts neuronal function in Alzheimer's disease/dementia. The position will involve classic and advanced molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry, including proteomics, RNA biology, cell signaling, molecular biology, imaging approaches, and in vitro and in vivo models.

The position will oversee work with primary neuron and glia cultures for protein biology and RNA assays. The position may also involve work with mice and rodents in several paradigms including, but not limited to, survival strategies, monitoring, and sacrifice, as well as behavioral, surgical, anatomical, immunohistochemically, and molecular biology studies.

The Postdoctoral Research scientist will be responsible for undertaking laboratory research as directed by the CNRM Program Head and will generate quality scientific data in a timely and professional manner for submission to high profile journals. The postdoctoral research scientist will also be expected to use their knowledge and expertise to develop innovative ideas and experiments and to maintain knowledge of the relevant literature to understand how to apply this knowledge to their own project. They will also be required to contribute their skills and knowledge to assist other projects in the AD group and within CNRM.

Other aspects of the position will include learning and developing cell biology techniques that may not already be established in the group and subsequent instruction to other lab members. The postdoctoral research scientist will play a significant role in assisting the management of CNRM's Alzheimer's research including, but not limited to, assisting the CNRM Program Head with grant writing, budgeting, ethics applications and mouse colony maintenance. They will enter regular discussion with the CNRM Program Head and/or senior members of CNRM on the progress of research aims and the direction of research. This position will collaborate with undergraduate and postgraduate students and research assistants in the CNRM as discussed with the CNRM Head.

The position is available for 1 year, with possibility of renewal subject to funding, project successes, and other considerations. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with qualifications and experience. Negotiations of internal or regional relocations costs will be considered on a case -by-case basis.

Diversity and Inclusion at St Vincent's:
St Vincent's is committed to employing a workforce that reflects the community we care for. We strongly encourage applications from people that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse, sexuality or gender diverse and/or living with disability.

Employment with St Vincent's is subject to you having current immunity status that complies with the Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases - NSW Health Policy Directive (PD2023_022) or subsequent revisions in force. Appointment and ongoing employment will be subject to continued compliance with this policy directive.

About you:
We are seeking a skilled and energetic Postdoctoral Research Scientist who possess a passion for person centred care. We welcome applications from people who are molecular/cell biologist/biochemist trained in neuroscience. You will bring your experience in neuronal and glial cell signalling for studying synapses and/or protein signalling to conduct research to elucidate the mechanisms of AD as well as to support other cell biology studies in the team.

Experience and/or knowledge in the AD/dementia field with a strong expertise in associated synapse function is preferred.

The postdoctoral research scientist will perform the following

• Undertake independent research using in vitro systems and animal models that address causes and consequences of Alzheimer's disease, evolving the research questions and directions with the Program Head
• Develop in vitro and in vivo methods required to progress the research.
• Submit high quality research outcomes for publication in high quality journals and contribute as second to middle author publications for other members of the group.
• Effectively communicate scientific results verbally and in written form including, but not limited to, publications, presentations at domestic and international conferences, seminar presentations, reports for foundations and donors etc.
• Help draft, for the CNRM Program Head, grant proposals to external funding bodies and funders.
• Contribute to management of relevant animal colonies and ethics requirements such as writing and submitting ethics applications, amendments and annual/final reports.
• Contribute to supervision of Honours and PhD students and aid their personal and professional development
• Perform duties as required by the CNRM Programme head or senior CNRM members

Application Instructions:
To have your application considered you are required to upload a current CV/Resume as well as a separate cover letter/document addressing the 'Selection Criteria' as below. Internal applicants i.e. current employees of St Vincent's Hospital or an entity of SVHA are required to apply via their Workday account.

Selection Criteria:
1. Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to the Philosophy, Mission and Values of Mary Aikenhead Ministries and St Vincent's Health Australia
2. Possess, or be in the process of completing, a PhD in Neuroscience or a related discipline.
3. A high level of knowledge in the skills required by this Position Description, including synaptic, protein and signalling trafficking mechanisms and synaptic plasticity theories, and demonstrated experience in the relevant protein trafficking, cell and molecular biology and biochemistry, and cell signalling techniques in vitro and in vivo.
4. Demonstrated successful leadership of research projects resulting in first author publications consistent with experience.
5. Experience in animal research, and in vitro studies, including colony maintenance and in vivo studies, as well as animal ethics and associated reporting
6. Demonstrated experience in confocal or other cellular imaging microscopy techniques as well as image analysis techniques related to spines/synapses.
7. A proactive approach to problem solving and evaluation, ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and willingness to undertake supervision of students
8. High level of verbal and written communication skills, with previous experience in writing of research papers, ethics applications and research grants.


Applications close on 19 February 2024