Research Assistant - Innovation Centre

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute; Sydney; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Banking & lifestyle benefits

Fitness Passport

Excellent environment

Job summary

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney CBD/hub is seeking a Research Assistant for the Innovation Centre to support multiple laboratories and shared facilities onsite. You will assist researchers, manage bookings, maintain records and contribute to safe, efficient operations in a world-class facility.

The role emphasises practical laboratory support, inventory management and collaboration with researchers and facility managers to keep the research environment productive and compliant.

Qualifications

• Qualification in biological, biomedical, chemical sciences or equivalent experience.
• Experience in a research, laboratory or shared‑facility environment.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities.
• Practical lab skills including reagent preparation and safe handling of samples.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational, administrative and technical support across shared research facilities.
• Assist researchers and facility users with access, bookings, and routine inquiries.
• Maintain laboratories, equipment areas and inventory records.
• Monitor and replenish consumables and supplies to ensure smooth lab operations.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Organisational skills

Communication

Customer-focused support

Education

Biological/Biomedical/Chemical sciences degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – Sydney CBD NSW

Reporting to: Head, Research Facilities & Innovation Centre

Research Assistant – Innovation Centre

Fulltime, 2 year contract

Onsite, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

Reporting to: Head, Research Facilities & Innovation Centre

About you

You are a proactive and organised research professional who enjoys working in a hands‑on laboratory environment and takes pride in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Whether you're preparing reagents, managing laboratory supplies, supporting researchers or maintaining accurate records, you thrive on delivering reliable, high‑quality work and contributing to a collaborative team environment.

You bring a practical, service‑oriented mindset and enjoy supporting others to achieve their research goals. With strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and a commitment to safe laboratory practices, you're looking for an opportunity to contribute to world‑class medical research while continuing to develop your technical and operational expertise.

The role

We are seeking a Research Assistant to join our Innovation Centre, a unique network of advanced research facilities supporting scientists both within and beyond the Institute. Working closely with facility managers and researchers, you will provide operational, administrative and technical support across a range of specialist laboratories and shared research facilities.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines laboratory operations, user support and practical technical assistance. You'll play an important part in ensuring our facilities remain safe, efficient and ready for use, helping researchers access world‑class infrastructure that drives discoveries in cardiovascular and biomedical research.

What we will trust you with

• Supporting the day‑to‑day operation of multiple shared research facilities
• Maintaining laboratories, equipment areas and shared workspaces to a high standard
• Monitoring and replenishing laboratory consumables, reagents and supplies
• Coordinating stock orders, deliveries and inventory records
• Assisting researchers and facility users with access, bookings and routine enquiries
• Preparing reagents, consumables, samples and equipment using established procedures
• Supporting laboratory inductions, training records and operational documentation
• Contributing to a safe, organised and collaborative research environment while maintaining accurate records and compliance requirements

Does this sound like you?

• A qualification in biological, biomedical, chemical or related sciences, or equivalent relevant experience
• Previous experience working in a research, laboratory, technical or shared‑facility environment
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple recurring activities and priorities
• Confidence following standard operating procedures and maintaining accurate documentation
• Practical laboratory skills, including reagent preparation and safe handling of samples
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders
• Strong communication skills and a customer‑focused approach when supporting researchers and facility users
• Comfortable using Microsoft 365 and electronic systems for record keeping, bookings or inventory management

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 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.

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

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.