About Us

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health is a medical research institute specialising in the brain and mind and is one of the world’s top 10 brain research centres. We employ exceptionally talented people who work to solve the greatest brain and mind challenges of our era. Our staff and students are the bedrock of our research and success, and we strive for excellence by fostering partnerships and empowering people. At the Florey our mission-driven culture enables our people to collaborate, thrive, learn, make ground-breaking discoveries and advance humanity through brain and mind science.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research officer to join the Autonomic Neuroscience Laboratory at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne. The position is for an experienced scientist to work on the role of brain pathways and sympathetic nerves that regulate inflammation and immune function, and also to determine the cells of the immune system that mediate these actions.

The candidate will be responsible for:

The research officer will be skilled in microsurgical techniques, specifically targeting the splanchnic and other sympathetic nerves in rats and mice. They will have experience and competence in whole animal physiology, including electrophysiology, and be adept at stereotaxic approaches to the central nervous system. They will be familiar with experimental approaches at the interface of neuroscience and immunology, including methods to analyze the roles of cytokines, chemokines and the different cell types responsible for the body’s defence against pathogens. They will have competence and experience in histological methods, including immunohistochemistry. They will assist in the design and analysis of experiments and be responsible for their day-to-day conduct. A further advantage will be experience in working on large animal models of inflammation and infection.

 Detailed information and key responsibilities are available from the Position Description. 

This position is a fixed term, full-time role with contract ending on 31 December 2026. The role attracts an annual salary of Research Officer (RO1) $91,681.

Applicants who meet the criteria listed in the Position Description should submit their resume together with a cover letter no later than 19 January 2025.

About you:

The successful candidate will have:

• PhD.
• Strong organisational skills including the ability to work consistently and effectively.
• In vivo physiological skills including vessel cannulation, tracheostomy, isolation of nerves and maintenance of animals under stable long-term anaesthesia.
• Excellent record keeping and data management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to function well in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to work consistently and effectively.
• Excellent record keeping and data management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to function well in a team environment.

What we offer:
Working at the Florey offers you the chance to work with a dedicated group of researchers within a culture that focuses on equity, diversity and collaboration. Other benefits include:

• Generous salary packaging to maximise your benefits
• Up to 17% superannuation

• Wellbeing initiatives including flexible working opportunities

If you’re inspired to make a positive difference, apply now.

At the Florey our future focus starts with an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion and a desire to provide a place to tremendous opportunity to everyone.

We seek and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and cultures including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGTBQI+, veterans and people with disability.

For enquiries please contact our Human Resources Team on employment@florey.edu.au.

All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check.