Start date: 29 May
Fulltime, 12 month contract
Onsite, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW
Reporting to: Faculty Member, McNamara Lab
You are an early career scientist with a strong foundation in mammalian cell culture and a genuine curiosity for how science can transform lives. You enjoy working in a collaborative research environment but are equally comfortable taking ownership of your work and managing competing priorities. Detail oriented and organised, you take pride in maintaining high quality lab practices and accurate records. You're motivated by discovery, eager to learn, and excited by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research from the ground up in a new lab.
This is a unique opportunity to join the newly established McNamara Lab at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, based in the St Vincent's Sydney Health Innovation Precinct in Darlinghurst. Working closely with Dr James McNamara and a small, growing team, you'll contribute to projects focused on modelling genetic heart disease using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Your work will support the optimisation of cell culture systems and the generation of cardiac tissues, helping to uncover new disease mechanisms. As the lab expands, you'll also play a key role in shaping lab operations, workflows, and systems.
- Supporting the establishment of new laboratory workflows, infrastructure, and systems
- Culturing, maintaining and differentiating human pluripotent stem cell lines
- Generating cardiac organoids for downstream physiological studies
- Assisting with genetic modification of cells using CRISPR-Cas9
- Preparing samples for molecular and histological analysis
- Using microscopy techniques, including confocal imaging, where required
- Maintaining clear, accurate and well-organised experimental records
- Supporting lab operations, including ordering reagents, stock management, and assisting with SOPs and risk assessments
- You hold an Honours or master's degree in science or a related discipline
- Strong hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture (essential)
- Exposure to stem cell work, tissue engineering, or cardiac differentiation (highly regarded)
- Confident working both independently and as part of a collaborative team
- Excellent organisation, time management, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and build strong working relationships
- Comfortable using digital tools to manage data and documentation
- Committed to continuous learning and contributing to a positive team environment
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (the Institute) is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease and is one of the most respected heart research facilities in the world. Renowned for the quality of its breakthroughs, the Institute was established in 1994 and has grown to a team of more than 200 researchers from around the globe, working across five divisions.
A global centre-of-excellence, it integrates Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics, Structural and Computational Biology, as well as Vascular Biology. At the Institute, we translate our discoveries into new diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease - reducing the incidence, severity, and impact of heart disease.
Being part of an Institute that is not only dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease, but one that also strives to ensure our employees and students enjoy a great working environment. We value and are committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces diversity, gender equity and promote flexible working arrangements for all employees.
We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We also welcome applicants with diverse educational backgrounds, professional knowledge, personality types, thinking styles and life experiences. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
- Salary packaging (including a $15,900 tax-free component, plus meal and entertainment allowances, holiday accommodation/venue hire plus many more).
- Banking & lifestyle benefits with Commonwealth Bank, including lending offers, discounts from participating retailers and financial wellbeing webinars.
- Fitness Passport
- Excellent environment with new state-of-the-art equipment.
- Collaborative team environment
Continuous learning and development opportunities
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We are only accepting applications from candidates with full working rights in Australia.
Early applications are encouraged, we are reviewing and conducting interviews on a rolling basis upon receiving applications.
Come and work with us & help make a difference.
