Research Assistant - Beavis Lab

Peter MaCallum Cancer Cente - Peter Mac; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 78,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Discounted health insurance

Health & wellbeing program

Public transport benefits

Onsite eateries & rooftop garden

Professional development opportunities

Five weeks annual leave

Flexible, hybrid working

Job summary

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne is seeking a highly skilled scientist to join the Beavis Laboratory. You will contribute to cancer immunology research, focusing on improving lymphocyte and CAR trafficking to tumours using immunotherapeutic approaches.

The role requires experience in molecular biology, tissue culture and flow cytometry; CRISPR/Cas9 and engineered T cell work are highly desirable. Hybrid work and strong development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Must have a BSc (Honours) or equivalent.
• Experience with mouse work and animal models.
• Experience with immunological assays and flow cytometry.
• Experience with cell culture, molecular biology and biochemical techniques.
• Experience in general laboratory duties.
• High quality written and oral communication skills.
• Flexibility to develop new skills.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments to a high standard with careful, accurate technique.
• Communicate research outcomes effectively in meetings and reports.
• Foster good working relationships within the lab and with collaborators.
• Assist in training junior staff and students.
• Adhere to OHS requirements and maintain safe laboratory practices.
• Contribute to laboratory administration and project coordination.

Skills

BSc (Honours)

Mouse work

Flow cytometry

Immunological assays

Cell culture

Molecular biology

CRISPR/Cas9

Genetically modified cells

Retrovirus/Lentivirus

Cancer research experience

Communication skills

Time management

Flexibility

General lab duties

Education

BSc (Honours) or equivalent

Job description

$77,734 - $115,527 a year

Full time

Hybrid

2-years fixed term, full time position available.

80 hours per fortnight plus monthly ADOs.

Up to $77,734.00 - $115,527.00 base + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave.

About the role

An opportunity exists for a motivated and highly skilled scientist to join the Beavis Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our team is focused on targeting the immune system against cancer using a variety of different immunotherapeutic approaches. The candidate will develop an integrated approach to cancer treatment through approaches designed to enhance lymphocyte and chimeric antigen receptor trafficking to the tumour site.

About you

You will possess experience and skills in molecular biology, tissue culture and flow cytometry, whilst skills in CRISPR/Cas9 and generation of genetically engineered T cells are highly desirable.

You'll bring with you:

• BSc (Honours) or equivalent
• Experience with mouse work and animal models
• Experience with Immunological assays and flow cytometry
• Experience with cell culture, molecular biology and biochemical techniques
• Experience in general laboratory duties
• High quality written and oral communication skills
• Flexibility and ability to develop new skills
• High level organisational and time management skills

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

• Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
• Discounted health insurance and eye care
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
• Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
• Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
• Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
• Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options & ADOs
• Flexible, hybrid working practices

Inclusion and belonging

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

Hiring Manager

Professor Paul Beavis

Email

***********@petermac.org

Applications Close

11.59pm Sunday 1 November 2026.

Position Summary

An opportunity exists immediately for a motivated and highly skilled scientist to join the Beavis Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Our team is focused on targeting the immune system against cancer using a variety of different immunotherapeutic approaches. The candidate will develop an integrated approach to cancer treatment through approaches designed to enhance lymphocyte and chimeric antigen receptor trafficking to the tumour site. Ideal candidates will possess experience and skills in molecular biology, tissue culture and flow cytometry and skills in CRISPR/Cas9 and generation of genetically engineered T cells are highly desirable.

Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021 - 2026

Classification or Salary Range

Level A (1RA6-1RA10) (Dependent on experience)

Immunisation Category A

Key Relationships

Internal

• Beavis Laboratory staff and students
• Cluster 4 Staff and Students
• Core Research facilities staff
• Other research staff and students
• Other Peter Mac staff and students

External

• External collaborators on NHMRC and NBCF grants
• Researchers from other research centres

Skills

• BSc (Honours) or equivalent
• Experience with mouse work and animal models
• Experience with Immunological assays and flow cytometry
• Experience with cell culture, molecular biology and biochemical techniques
• Experience in general laboratory duties
• High quality written and oral communication skills
• Flexibility and ability to develop new skills
• High level organisational and time management skills
• Generation of genetically modified cells
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9
• Experience in production of retrovirus and/or lentivirus
• Previous cancer research experience

Key Accountabilities

1. Performing experiments to a high standard

• Careful and precise experimental technique
• Accurate analysis and interpretation of experiment results
• Ability to follow and understand instructions
• Ability to work with limited supervision
• Careful, accurate and timely record keeping
• Good knowledge of literature related to research area
• High level of integrity and ethics

2. Communication of research outcomes

• Attendance at weekly divisional seminars, lab meetings and project steering meetings
• Clear communicaton of weekly activities to ensure all team members know ongoing operations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and the Research Division

3. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues

• Development of a good working relationship with others in the laboratory and Research Division
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to help others in lab as required

4. Training of junior staff/students

• Teaching of relevant techniques to new staff
• Accurate recording of protocols to ensure reproducibility of experiments

5. Abides by OHS requirements

• Complies with Infection Control policies and procedures 100% of the time
• Completes incident reports 100% of the time and responds appropriately to OHS incidents
• Attends Health and Safety training on emergency procedures annually and is capable of identifying emergency equipment in place

6. Laboratory administration

• Providing assistance where required with procurement, ethics relating to work with animals and human tissues and other tasks as required to facilitate laboratory management

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

• Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
• Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
• We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.