Who We Are

The Centenary Institute is a world-leading independent Medical Research Institute. Our strength is in uncovering disease mechanisms and applying this knowledge to improve diagnostics and treatments for patients and find cures for some of the most chronic diseases affecting today’s society.

We continue to build on our skills by focusing on and enlarging our research efforts in seven key centres: Biomedical AI, Cancer Innovations, Cardiovascular Research, Healthy Ageing, Infection & Immunity, Inflammation and Rare Diseases & Gene Therapy.

The Role

The Tuberculosis Research Program at the Centenary Institute is seeking to hire a Research Assistant to work on TB drug development and evaluation. The objective of the program at the Centenary is to evaluate new chemical compounds for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.

A successful candidate will work within an interactive group of experienced scientists in the field of immunology, microbiology, vaccine and drug development for mycobacterial infections. The role will provide an opportunity to experience national and international collaborations, and an understanding of the requirements for new drug development.

Responsibilities will include:

• General laboratory duties e.g., ordering consumables, reagent preparation, maintenance of laboratory equipment and workstations
• Test novel compounds as antimicrobials against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria
• Participate in in vitro infection studies with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a PC3 facility
• Participate in the infection studies in mice with M. tuberculosis and other mycobacteria, with drug treatment and necropsy of mice to evaluate novel antimicrobials
• In vivo studies in an M. tuberculosis infection mouse model include injections, infection, health checks, tail bleeds, and necropsy in PC3 facility
• Test the activity of novel compounds as antimicrobials against Mycobacterium abscessus in zebrafish model of infection

Why Work for Centenary

• World renowned Medical Research Institute
• Affiliations with Sydney Institute and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Facilities in the heart of Inner West next to Sydney Uni Campus with coffee machine and in walking distance of shops, cafes and parks
• Supportive team environment and the opportunity to work with some of the leading researchers in the country
• Flexible working options
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Minimum educational qualification of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Honours in microbiology, immunology, or related biomedical field or a BSc with equivalent experience in biomedical laboratory.
• Experience in performing laboratory techniques including but not limited to:
  - Bacteria and cell culture
  - Animal handling
  - In vitro assays of bacteria for testing antimicrobial sensitivity
  - Isolation and culture of human a/o mouse leucocytes for infection studies
  - Flow Cytometry
• Basic computer software knowledge to perform tasks to achieve experimental outcomes.
• Ability to perform high quality data entry and analysis.
• Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, communicative, and collaborative skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in immunological, cellular, cytokine, and antibody assays
• Experience working in a Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) laboratory and/or Physical Containment 3 (PC3) laboratory

For more information about the role, please contact: Professor Warwick Britton ([email protected]) or Professor Angelo Izzo ([email protected])