Senior Research Assistant

• School of Biomedical Sciences

• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 3 years

• Base salary will be in the range $80,523 - $89,505 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 5)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity 

Join the Receptor Transducer Coupling lab, led by Associate Prof. Sebastian Furness, as a Senior Research Assistant and play a pivotal role in advancing research focused on Parkinson’s Disease-associated chronic constipation. This prevalent condition negatively affects the quality of life for most individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, and your work will directly contribute to investigating potential therapies.

As part of a collaborative, collegial, and supportive team, you will assist in a project that explores the underlying mechanisms of this condition, working closely with a post-doctoral researcher. Your research will involve investigating cultured cells and neurons in the mouse spinal cord, and you will also be expected to have, or gain experience in advanced electrophysiological techniques and pharmacological assays.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking research, while learning and applying specialist techniques in a dynamic and supportive lab environment.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements including flexible start/finish times

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• UQ Study for Staff

• On campus childcare options

• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About You

• Diploma in Laboratory Technology or BSc(Hons) (or equivalent), or relevant experience/training.

• Experience with or willingness to learn small rodent animal husbandry and slice electrophysiology.

• Proficiency in data analysis, visualization, and statistical analysis.

• Strong record-keeping skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet research deadlines.

• Commitment to excellence and accuracy in work.

Desirable:

• Experience in G protein-coupled receptor biology and cell-based pharmacological assays.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia and mandatory immunisations.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Sebastian Furness . For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion , fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to talent@uq.edu.au for accessibility support or adjustments.

Applications close Monday 12th May at 11.00pm AEST (R-50096). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 20th May.