Postdoctoral Scientist - McNamara Lab

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Fitness Passport

Excellent equipment

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney is seeking an early to mid-career Postdoctoral Scientist to join the McNamara Lab. You will work on modelling genetic heart disease using hiPSCs, CRISPR-based screens, and omics approaches with close mentorship from Dr James McNamara.

Based in the McNamara Lab, you will contribute to and shape an expanding program, collaborating with a dynamic team to deliver high‑impact cardiovascular research findings.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology or a related biomedical discipline.
• Extensive experience in mammalian cell culture.
• Strong molecular biology skills including cloning, vector design and lentiviral production.
• Experience with sequencing-based omics technologies and associated analysis.
• A strong publication record and demonstrated ability to deliver research outcomes.
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Designing and executing complex cardiac research projects.
• Culturing, maintaining and differentiating human pluripotent stem cell lines.
• Performing molecular cloning, genetic modification and CRISPR-Cas9-based experiments.
• Generating and analysing cardiac organoids and functional datasets.
• Contributing to sequencing-based multiomics experiments and analysis.
• Preparing data for publications, presentations, grant and fellowship applications.
• Mentoring students and junior laboratory members.
• Working collaboratively with laboratory colleagues and external collaborators.
• Maintaining accurate experimental records and documentation.
• Supporting laboratory operations, including equipment, ordering and compliance activities.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

CRISPR screening

Single-cell tech

R & Python

hiPSC culture

Signalling biology

Education

PhD in molecular biology

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)

Job description

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – Sydney CBD NSW

You are an early to mid-career researcher who is excited by the opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge biomedical research and help uncover the mechanisms that drive genetic heart disease. You bring strong molecular biology and cell culture expertise, a track record of delivering high‑quality research, and a genuine passion for scientific discovery.

Just as importantly, you are someone who thrives in a collaborative environment. The McNamara Lab is a growing team, so we're looking for an energetic and committed colleague who enjoys working closely with others, contributes positively to team culture and is willing to roll up their sleeves to help drive new discoveries . If you value collaboration, curiosity and scientific excellence, you'll fit right in.

Postdoctoral Scientist – McNamara Lab

Fulltime, 1 year Contract

Onsite, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

Reporting to: Faculty, McNamara Lab

About you

You are an early to mid-career researcher who is excited by the opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge biomedical research and help uncover the mechanisms that drive genetic heart disease. You bring strong molecular biology and cell culture expertise, a track record of delivering high‑quality research, and a genuine passion for scientific discovery.

Just as importantly, you are someone who thrives in a collaborative environment. The McNamara Lab is a growing team, so we're looking for an energetic and committed colleague who enjoys working closely with others, contributes positively to team culture and is willing to roll up their sleeves to help drive new discoveries . If you value collaboration, curiosity and scientific excellence, you'll fit right in.

The role

Based in the recently established McNamara Lab at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, you will play a key role in advancing research into genetic heart disease. Working closely with Dr James McNamara, you will contribute to and drive projects focused on modelling disease using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), CRISPR‑based screening technologies, physiology and multiomics approaches.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing laboratory at an early stage, helping to shape its research program while receiving exceptional mentorship within one of the world's leading cardiovascular research institutes.

What we will trust you with

• Designing and executing complex cardiac research projects
• Culturing, maintaining and differentiating human pluripotent stem cell lines
• Performing molecular cloning, genetic modification and CRISPR-Cas9-based experiments
• Generating and analysing cardiac organoids and functional datasets
• Contributing to sequencing‑based multiomics experiments and analysis
• Preparing data for publications, presentations, grant and fellowship applications
• Mentoring students and junior laboratory members
• Working collaboratively with laboratory colleagues and external collaborators
• Maintaining accurate experimental records and documentation
• Supporting laboratory operations, including equipment, ordering and compliance activities
  

Does this sound like you?

• PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology or a related biomedical discipline
• Extensive experience in mammalian cell culture
• Strong molecular biology skills including cloning, vector design and lentiviral production
• Experience with sequencing‑based omics technologies and associated analysis
• A strong publication record and demonstrated ability to deliver research outcomes
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
• Able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Respectful, flexible and committed, with a genuine willingness to contribute to a positive team culture
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships
• Experience with CRISPR screening, single‑cell technologies, R or Python, hiPSC culture or signalling biology will be highly regarded

About us

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.

What you will be proud of

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 an engaging and safe working environment. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace because we believe it is fundamental to delivering on our purpose. We also value and acknowledge the unique skills and knowledge of First Nations peoples. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outlines the steps we are taking to build cultural awareness across the Institute, support First Nations career pathways in medical research, and collaborate with communities to improve First Nations heart health. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities and thinking styles and are committed to providing a fair, respectful and equitable process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your participation in any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

What we offer

• 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