Research Assistant chez Wehi

Job Title

Job Description

An excellent opportunity is available for a Research Assistant to join the King Lab within the Genetics and Gene Regulation Division at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the Position

The King Lab aims to understand how defects in gene regulatory networks are involved in human immune-mediated diseases such as autoimmunity and immunodeficiency. To achieve this, the King Lab takes an interdisciplinary approach by leveraging biochemistry, chromatin-based assays, single-cell genomics, immunology, and bioinformatics to make fundamental discoveries about gene regulation in health and disease.

This position will focus on the application of functional genomics to cultured immune cell lines and primary human immune cells to dissect basic principles of non-coding gene regulation in the immune system. It will require experience with mammalian cell culture, lenti/retrovirus production, flow cytometry and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated (epi)genome-editing strategies. There will be the opportunity to develop experience in both experimental and computational aspects of cutting-edge genomics techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and highly supportive research team of seven (4 PhD students, 2 post-doctoral researchers, 1 research assistant) and will benefit from an extensive network of local and international collaborators, including biochemists, immunologists, bioinformaticians, and clinician scientists. They will be encouraged to develop new research directions that complement existing themes within the lab and will have the opportunity to establish and contribute to collaborative research projects and gain supervision experience.

Selection Criteria
Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• A BSc with Honours or Masters in molecular biology, genetics, and/or immunology is required.

Experience with the following methods is essential:

• Sterile tissue culture (including maintenance of mammalian suspension and adherent cell lines),

• Routine molecular biology and cloning techniques (PCR, DNA/RNA purification etc),

• Production and quality control of lenti/retroviral gene delivery strategies,

• Flow cytometry

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

Experience with the following methods is highly desired:

• CRISPR/Cas9-mediated (epi)genome-editing strategies.

• Functional genomics assays (ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and/or CUT&TAG)

• Bioinformatic analyses of functional genomic datasets

• Coding in Unix, R, Python or other suitable languages

Personal Qualities:

This position will suit an enthusiastic and motivated individual with an independent work ethic, proven project management experience and a collaborative mindset. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required, including the ability to write for publication and presentation of research at conferences.

Terms of Appointment
This position is available for 2 years in a full time capacity. Salary is Research Support Employee Level 5 ($82,108-$94,209). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Hamish King - [email protected].

A position description is available here.

How to Apply
Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.

Application Closing Date:  Wednesday 1 October 2025