• Institute for Molecular Bioscience

• Be part of an organisation with a meaningful purpose and impact 

• Culture committed to excellence and innovation

• Plan for your future with a generous 17% superannuation allowance 

• Based at St Lucia campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll 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’ll 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:

• 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 hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight

• 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

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity 

The Research Assistant will support researchers on a wide range of Neurodegenerative research projects. The nature of the research in the Program is analysis of large-scale genome-wide data sets (millions of genetic markers on up to half a million people) of DNA variants, DNA methylation, gene expression data and other omics. The applications of the research in the Neurodegenerative Program are to understand and interpret the nature of variation of neurodegenerative conditions including but not limited to Motor Neuron Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease. Research is based on data generated by the Human Studies Unit as well as accessing empirical data from consortia and large biobanks.

The Research Assistant will conduct analyses of large-scale data sets under supervision of the Human Studies Manager and Assoc. Prof Allan McRae.

Key responsibilities include:  

Research

• Perform advanced statistical analyses on genetic and genomic data using customised software

• Conduct computer simulation studies

• Implement routine analyses of new genetic data sets including quality control pipelines.

• Download and organise data sets that will be used for analysis by researchers within the Program

• Provide research support including analysis of data generated by the Human Studies Unit and the System Genomics Program, by collaborators or in the public domain, testing and writing computer code data analysis

• Write wrappers and apps for software

• Develop and maintain project websites

• Prepare text, graphs and figures for presentations and manuscripts

• Present results in lab meetings

• Assist with administrative aspects that underlie scientific research

• In discussion with the supervisor, development of timelines of research projects?

• Collaborate with other group members, provide support to students and work as part of national and international consortia

• Other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 1 year.

At HEW level 6, the full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $84,871.95 - $91,158.90, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $99,300.18 - $106,655.91 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.

About You  

• A degree in statistical genetics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, computer programming, statistics or other relevant area with subsequent relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

• Demonstrated research support productivity

• Knowledge of the principles of genetics and genomics

• Knowledge of quantitative genetics models and theories

• Advanced Computing skills, including in scripting language and programming

• Expertise in the statistical programming language R

• Excellent attention to detail and record-keeping skills

• Self-reliance and motivation

• A high level of written, oral and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues

• Initiative and problem-solving skills

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

• Mandatory Immunisations: It is a condition of employment for this role that you will be required to provide evidence of immunisation against certain vaccine preventable diseases.

• Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Anjali Henders a.henders@uq.edu.au.

For application queries, please contact recruitment@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 addressing the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion.  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au 

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Wednesday 15 November 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number – R-31504).