About the role:

Start your career at the Florey with this great opportunity within the Dementia /Antibody Therapeutics Laboratory and work on an Alzheimer’s Association funded research project aimed at developing mRNA therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease.  

As a research assistant within the Antibody Therapeutics Laboratory, the role will work under the general direction of the laboratory head to enable and facilitate research productivity and contribute skills and expertise to projects in the group and with external collaborators. The candidate will be responsible for performing experiments and analyses, developing methods and theories, and accurately recording all results.This will include:

• Designing and generating synthetic In vitro transcribed mRNA transcripts
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team developing novel mRNA neurotherapeutics
• Developing and testing mRNA-brain penetrating strategies
• Conducting in vivo testing in mice
• Contributing to writing of manuscripts and dissemination of research results
• Ensuring required laboratory consumables are ordered in a timely fashion and common laboratory reagents required for the conduct of planned experiments are maintained
• Supervising and assisting with research training of students
• Maintaining a clear and accurate laboratory notebook and other forms of records of experimental results as appropriate
• Preparing and enforcing SOPs and safe working practices as required
• Complying with all OHS, OGTR and laboratory  policies and procedures as defined by the Institute
• Providing support to team members and carry out other duties as reasonably requested

This is a full-time, fixed-term position until December 2026. Detailed information about the position and key responsibilities are available in the Position Description.

Salary:  RA 2-3 (Research Assistant) $79,724 to $91,846 per annum full time equivalent

About you:

The ideal candidate will be highly organised with the capacity to work independently as well as part of a team. You will have an Honours or Masters in biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical science or related field.

Experience in the following is essential:

• Molecular biology experience including invitro transcribed mRNA synthesis
• Animal (mouse) handling;
• Histology, western blotting and microscopy
• Cell culture techniques

It would be desirable to have experience in lipid nanoparticle synthesis and animal (mouse) surgery.

Applications are to be submitted by 5pm on Monday 6 October 2025. 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia. The preferred applicant for this job will be asked to consent to a police check.

Working at the Florey

With a 50-year history, the Florey is the largest brain research centre in the Southern Hemisphere, with teams of researchers dedicated to building knowledge on a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Learn more at https://florey.edu.au/our-research/impact/

Our reputation for innovative research and our position as the leading brain research institute in the Southern Hemisphere attracts the best and brightest.

The Florey is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

We also provide flexible leave entitlements including purchased leave, gender affirmation leave, ceremonial leave along with additional non-gazetted Florey holidays.

Learn more about working at the Florey at https://florey.edu.au/careers-and-study/working-at-the-florey/

For enquiries, please contact our People and Culture Team on employment@florey.edu.au.