Position Description November 2018

Transcription

1 Position Description November 2018 MISSION The mission of St Vincent s Institute (SVI) is to carry out the highest quality laboratory based biomedical research, in order to make discoveries that will improve the health of the community by prevention or better treatment of common diseases that cause premature death or reduced quality of life. The mission is based on the values of excellence, ethics, innovation, creativity, collaboration, teamwork, individual drive, persistence and integrity. POSITION DETAILS Job Title Location Postdoctoral Researcher Human T-cell Laboratory, Immunology & Diabetes Unit Classification & Salary SVI RO1 RO3 ($85,000 - $90,000) Superannuation Plus Employer Contribution of 9.5% Salary Packaging Reports to Hours Up to $15,900 FBT exempt Laboratory Head A/Prof Stuart Mannering Full time (38 hrs per week) MAIN JOB PURPOSE The Human T-cell Laboratory is based within SVI s Immunology of Diabetes Unit. The goal of SVI s Human T-cell research is to understand why the insulin-producing cells are attacked by the body s immune system s T cells, to measure the autoimmune responses and explore ways to prevent these responses from developing. The postdoctoral scientist will contribute to our body of knowledge on the autoimmune basis of type 1 diabetes by leading research projects and undertaking a range of more complex experiments. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Research Undertake research projects within the context of the laboratory s research goals Building on research experience in the field of study, develop increasing research independene Provide input into the lab s research direction Liaise with the group s collaborators Prepare manuscripts and grant applications Attend and present at relevant national and international conferences and meetings Supervise and mentor the group s junior staff and students Plan and execute experiments Provide high level technical expertise in the undertaking of laboratory experiments, technical tasks and analysis, undertaking the more complex of the lab s experiments Isolate and grow large numbers of human T-cell clones. 1

2 Perform functional assays (ELISA, ELISpot, CFSE-based proliferation) to determine the specificity of human T cell clones. Undertake screening experiments to identify antigens recognized by T cell lines Undertake screening experiments to identify genes and pathways that regulate relevant pathways. Perform functional assays with immune cells isolated from human blood. Assist with collect of human tissue samples. Generate recombinant lentiviruses and use lentiviruses to transduce cell lines. Analyse cells and cell lines by flow cytometry. RT-PCR analysis of human T-cell receptors, including cloning and sequencing Prepare plasmids, sequencing and conducting transfection experiments Assist with genotyping transgenic and knockout mouse lines performed by either PCR of genomic DNA or by analysis of cell surface marker expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Laboratory experiments with, mouse and human tissue, in particular isolation of spleen or blood cells and performing in vitro experiments with these cells, including flow cytometry, ELIspot/ELISA assays, 3 H-thymidine proliferation assays, western blotting, and RNA isolation/pcr amplification. Provide training and assistance with experiments to other members of the laboratory, as well as external collaborators as required. Support the work of students in the laboratory. Participate in other experiments that arise from time to time within the Unit. Help to maintain databases of lab reagents and samples. Analyze the results of experiments and keep records of experimental results. Present data at lab meetings. Meet regularly with A/Prof Mannering to discuss results and plan future work. Other laboratory tasks as required. Ethical Practice Undertake research in a transparent and documented manner in accordance with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct in Research and SV s Research and Governance guidelines. Produce data and results of high integrity Contribute to the Lab s ethics submissions Continuous Learning Maintain knowledge of relevant contemporary research literature, processes and issues to support the experimental aspects of the research and to contribute to defining new directions. Occupational Health and Safety SVI has a duty of care to all employees to provide a safe work environment, hoewever all employees must also take responsibility for their own safety, and that of fellow workmates, and should apply a common sense approach to work methods to minimize risk to themselves and others. Adherence to SVI Occupational Health & Safety guidelines, including the wearing of personal protective equipment as provided. 2

3 SELECTION CRITERIA QUALIFICATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE Essential A PhD, ideally in immunology, or a PhD in a similar biomedical field with post graduate experience in immunology. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques: RT-PCR, cloning, culturing, sequencing, transfection & analysis of human T cells. Experience in the use of flow cytometry equipment and analysis. Desirable Expertise in tissue culture, cell biology, protein/peptide chemistry, yeast and related laboratory experience. Expertise in retrogenic mouse models. Expertise in yeast models. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to work within a team cooperatively and confidently Excellent record keeping and organisational skills Ability to work independently, but able to exercise appropriate judgement and seek advice and support Ability to use initiative and a proactive approach to problem solving I understand and agree to undertake the requirements of the role, as described above: Incumbent Name Signature Date 3

4 Position Description November 2018 MISSION The mission of St Vincent s Institute (SVI) is to carry out the highest quality laboratory based biomedical research, in order to make discoveries that will improve the health of the community by prevention or better treatment of common diseases that cause premature death or reduced quality of life. The mission is based on the values of excellence, ethics, innovation, creativity, collaboration, teamwork, individual drive, persistence and integrity. POSITION DETAILS Job Title Location Research Assistant Human Immunology Classification & Salary SVI RA2 RA8 ($70,000 - $90,000) Superannuation Plus Employer Contribution of 9.5% Salary Packaging Reports to Hours Up to $15,900 FBT exempt Laboratory Head A/Prof Stuart Mannering Full time (38 hrs per week) MAIN JOB PURPOSE The Human T-cell Laboratory is based within SVI s Immunology of Diabetes Unit. The goal of SVI s Human T-cell research is to understand why the insulin-producing cells are attacked by the body s immune system s T cells, to measure the autoimmune responses and explore ways to prevent these responses from developing. The Research Assistant supports these research activities by carrying out a range of experiments within a supervised research project. The role provides considerable support to the senior scientist/s in their experiments. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Participate in research at St Vincent s Institute towards a better understanding of how human T cells lead to autoimmune diabetes (also known as type 1 diabetes) and provide high level technical expertise in the undertaking of laboratory tasks. Conduct Experiments Develop screening protocols to identify the antigens recognized by human T cells in type 1 diabetes. Perform high through-put assays for antigen recognition Prepare yeast and bacterial antigen expression libraries. RT-PCR analysis of human T-cell receptors, including cloning and sequencing Prepare plasmids, sequencing and conducting transfection experiments. Prepare retroviruses and transduced cell line and primary human cells. 4

5 Assist with genotyping transgenic and knockout mouse lines performed by either PCR of genomic DNA or by analysis of cell surface marker expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry Isolate and grow large numbers of human antigen specific T-cell clones. Perform functional assays (ELISA, ELISpot, CFSE-based proliferation) to determine the specificity of human T-cell clones. Perform functional assays with immune cells isolated from human blood. Analyse cell lines by flow cytometry. Laboratory experiments with, mouse and human tissue, in particular isolation of spleen or blood cells and performing in vitro experiments with these cells, including flow cytometry, ELIspot/ELISA assays, 3 H-thymidine proliferation assays, western blotting, and RNA isolation/pcr amplification. Maintain stocks of cells stored in liquid nitrogen and stocks of laboratory consumables (buffers, culture media, serum etc) Provide training and assistance with experiments to other members of the laboratory, as well as external collaborators as required. Support the work of students in the laboratory. Order and maintain stocks of laboratory reagents Maintain databases of lab reagents and samples. Analyze the results of experiments and keep records of experimental results. Present data at lab meetings Meet regularly with A/Prof Mannering to discuss results and plan future work. Other lab duties as requested. Ethical Practice Undertake research in a transparent and documented manner in accordance with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct in Research and SV s Research and Governance guidelines. Produce data and results of high integrity Continuous Learning Maintain knowledge of relevant contemporary research literature and processes to support the experimental aspects of the research. Occupational Health and Safety SVI has a duty of care to all employees to provide a safe work environment, hoewever all employees must also take responsibility for their own safety, and that of fellow workmates, and should apply a common sense approach to work methods to minimize risk to themselves and others. Adherence to SVI Occupational Health & Safety guidelines, including the wearing of personal protective equipment as provided. 5

6 SELECTION CRITERIA QUALIFICATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE Essential Honours Degree in Immunology, or post graduate experience in immunology. Experience and a high level of competence in molecular biology techniques incluing: RT-PCR, cloning, sequencing, transfection, retroviral production and transduction. Desirable Expertise in tissue culture, cell biology, protein/peptide chemistry and related laboratory experience Expertise in the generation and use of recombinant retroviruses Experience in flow cytometry. Expertise in yeast models Expertise in CrispR screening systems PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to work within a team cooperatively and confidently Excellent record keeping and organisational skills Ability to work independently, but able to exercise appropriate judgement and seek advice and support Ability to use initiative and a proactive approach to problem solving I understand and agree to undertake the requirements of the role, as described above: Incumbent Name Signature Date 6