Position Number: 0065809
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 1.5 years
Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department: Biochemistry and Pharmacology
Salary: Level A - $83,468 - $113,262 p.a. plus 17% super
- Support groundbreaking research into the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease.
- Work within an interdisciplinary team using next-gen high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced fractionation technologies.
- Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.
Your next career opportunity
Join a cutting-edge initiative at the Bio21 Institute and help unravel the critical role of the human gut microbiome in health and disease. As a Research Assistant on the Australian Human Gut Metabolome Framework Project, you will support the discovery and characterisation of bioactive metabolites produced by the human gut microbiome—essential compounds that influence immunity, metabolism, and overall wellbeing.
Based in the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology/Bio21 Institute and working in close collaboration with Metabolomics Australia, you will be at the heart of an interdisciplinary team using next-generation high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced fractionation technologies. Your work will contribute to building a comprehensive web-based metabolite databank, facilitating future breakthroughs in disease prevention and treatment.
You will carry out a range of vital research activities including sample preparation, fractionation and tracking, metabolomics analysis, and laboratory maintenance. You will also play a role in refining workflows and preparing metabolite fractions for bioactivity screening, working side-by-side with experts in analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and microbiology.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a national research collaboration and to gain hands-on experience with world-class facilities at the forefront of biomedical science.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Contribute to BPA funded Framework projects under the direction of MA senior staff through the provision of research support activities, including assisting with experiment designs, sample preparation, sample tracking, data acquisition, analysis/interpretation, presentation and documentation.
- Contribute to preparation of publications in peer reviewed journals/books.
- Operate and maintain core laboratory equipment, including preparative and analytical liquid chromatography-mass spectrometers (LC-MS), freeze-dryers, rotary evaporators and other vacuum or nitrogen enabled apparatuses.
- In collaboration with other colleagues, actively contribute to the maintenance of the laboratory and the collection and curation of data and methods.
- Under general direction from senior staff, contribute to the development, application and documentation (eg SOPs) of laboratory or metabolomics techniques.
- Work closely, collaboratively and productively in a team setting with members of the team to develop new methodologies and deliver high quality analyses.
You may be a great fit if:
You are a detail-oriented and technically skilled professional with a degree in analytical or organic chemistry (or a related field) and hands-on experience with lab instrumentation like HPLC and LCMS. Confident in maintaining lab equipment and supporting research, you bring a strong foundation in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Known for your excellent communication, organisation, and time management skills, you thrive both independently and as a collaborative team member, always ready to adapt to shifting priorities and contribute to high-quality research outcomes.
You also have:
- Tertiary qualification (e.g BSc(Hons)) with relevant work-related experience in analytical/organic chemistry, or equivalent in a related discipline.
- Proven ability to set up, monitor and maintain analytical instruments (e.g. preparative HPLC, LCMS, etc.).
- Strong technical expertise in maintaining general laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
- Ability to undertake research projects and maintain high quality records and documentation under the guidance of senior staff.
- Skilled in the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven ability to provide support for research staff through conducting quantitative and qualitative experiments, processing, collating and analysing data, assisting in interpretation of results and preparing reports.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.
For further information please refer to the attached PD.
What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:
- Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
- Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance
- Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance
- Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program
- Comprehensive career development and training, plus a 25% discount on UniMelb graduate courses for your immediate family members!
For more information check out our benefits page!
Your new team – Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology; Bio21 Institute
The Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology has critical mass, interdisciplinary teaching and a remarkable breadth and depth in research expertise that underpin our key themes of molecular understanding of biology and disease, translational research, drug discovery and development. The research laboratories are primarily located in the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute affording excellent access to state-of-the-art technology platforms.
The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute (Bio21 Institute) is a large multidisciplinary research institute within the Parkville precinct, that hosts research groups from the University of Melbourne STEM Faculties of Science, Medicine and Engineering. The main purpose of the Bio21 Institute is to improve human health and the environment through innovation in biotechnology and related areas, driven by multidisciplinary research and dynamic interactions with industry. The Bio21 institute accommodates more than 800 research scientists, students, industry participants and administrative staff, and is the largest biotechnology research centre in Australia.
Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.
The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering a barrier-free and inclusive recruitment process. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the application and interview stages, including accessible document formats and alternative application methods. To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Bec Tucker - 0416 888 299 or send an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments' to hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au. You can find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments on our Careers website: https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.
For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring
If you are a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and would like any support, please feel free to contact our Indigenous Employment & Development team via email at oied-hr@unimelb.edu.au.
Working at the University – what you need to know
This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.
Join Us and unlock your career potential!
Is this the perfect opportunity for you? Apply today! Including the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria
If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Nick Petersen via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.
Position Description
