Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Faculty of Medicine   ·   Full Time – Fixed Term   ·  St Lucia

School of Biomedical Sciences

The University of Queensland School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS) is a distinguished centre for teaching and research in the academic disciplines of Anatomy, Developmental Biology, Physiology, Pharmacology and Pathology. The School has more than 40 full-time research and teaching staff and is one of the largest Schools of its type in Australia. It has links to other prestigious research centres on the St Lucia campus including the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), the Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).

Details of the research interests of academic staff may be accessed on the school’s website.

The Vukovic – Neuroimmunology and Cognition Laboratory

The Vukovic laboratory investigates how brain function is sculpted and influenced by the immune system. Specifically, we examine the role of brain’s main resident immune cell population (i.e. microglia), as well as various peripheral immune cells, on learning and memory in mice.

We are interested in defining the contribution of immune cells to such higher cognitive tasks, including for neuroinflammatory conditions where learning and memory deficits can occur, e.g. following traumatic brain injury, cancer treatment, and ageing. We have established an array of genetic and pharmacological tools alongside robust behavioural assays to directly probe the function of these immune cells in both the healthy and diseased brain.

The ultimate goal of our work is to link cellular and molecular events to altered behaviour, and to harness the brain’s intrinsic regenerative potential for stimulating optimal cognitive function. For a recent highlight of our achievements see Willis et al., 2020.

About This Opportunity

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist to conduct research into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of microglia.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing genetic techniques to manipulate expression of candidate genes in microglia in order to uncover factors critical in limiting the spread of secondary brain damage.

General duties and responsibilities also include, but are not limited to:

• Design and conduct experiments to assess microglial function in vitro and in vivo.
• Prepare and publish high-quality manuscripts, provide weekly progress reports and participate in regular meetings to discuss project objectives, methodology and outcomes.
• Lead and develop a project/research team in line with best practice research methodologies, while managing and mentoring students/employees to create a positive scientific research culture.
• Contribute to day-to-day maintenance of lab supplies/stocks and cell/mouse lines.

This position is primarily located at our picturesque St Lucia campus. St Lucia is renowned as one of Australia’s most attractive university campuses and is located just 7km from Brisbane’s city centre. Bounded by the Brisbane River on three sides, and with outstanding public transport connections, our 114-hectare site provides a perfect work environment – you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a vibrant campus with the tradition of an established university.

Our Ideal Candidate

Alongside the completion of a PhD in neuroscience, immunology, or related disciplines, we are seeking candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Experience in handling mice, conducting surgical procedures in mice (e.g. stereotaxic surgery) and processing tissue samples for immunostaining or FACS analysis.
• Working knowledge of CRISPR/Cas and AAV-/LV- genome editing technologies.
• Demonstrated high-level communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to consult and negotiate to ensure project objectives are met.

For a full list of duties and selection criteria, please see the attached Position Description.

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

It is a condition of employment for this role that you will be required to provide evidence of immunisation against certain vaccine preventable diseases.

We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. Our Diversity and Inclusion webpage contains further information if you require additional support. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au.

What We Can Offer

This is a full-time, 12-month fixed term position at Research Academic level A.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $85,300 – $94,637, plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $99,801 – $110,726.

You will be able to take advantage of salary sacrificing options, discounted private health insurance, cheap parking, development programs and many other benefits.

For further information, please review The University of Queensland’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018-2021.

Position Description

• Download File 513543_Postdoctoral Research Fellow_PD.pdf

Questions?

To discuss this role please contact Dr Jana Vukovic, Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellow, via j.vukovic@uq.edu.au.

For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job number in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

To submit an application for this role, use the APPLY NOW button below. All applicants must supply the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Statement addressing the key selection criteria (in the attached PD)
• Resume

To satisfy pre-requisite questions and ensure your application can be considered in full, all candidates must apply via the UQJobs portal by the job closing deadline. Applications received via other channels including direct email will not be accepted.

Advertised: 16 Apr 2021
Applications close: 30 May 2021 (11:00 PM) E. Australia Standard Time

Please click here to apply.