Population Genomics Program Lead

The Centre for Population Genomics (CPG) is a joint initiative of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). Our mission is to harness large‑scale genomic and multi‑omic data to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease for all Australians. We work at the intersection of academic discovery and translational genomics and focus on projects with direct pathways to clinical adoption.

We operate under a long‑term remote‑first model, with a fifty‑person team distributed across Australia and New Zealand, and a culture that optimises for technical excellence and equitable real‑world impact.
** Population Genomics:
** In addition to analysis of OurDNA, we drive genetic analysis for the TenK
10K project, the world’s largest cohort with both whole‑genome equencing and single‑cell data, which will grow to ~10,000 individuals in 2026.We are seeking an established scientific leader to head our Population Genomics Program. You will drive the analysis of multi‑omic datasets from nearly 20,000 individuals (TenK
10K and OurDNA) and contribute to scientific design and fund-raising for a proposed National Genomic Medicine Cohort spanning 100,000 participants. As part of CPG’s leadership team you will shape strategy, influence national policy and build a high‑performing, impact‑focused culture.
* Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)
* Ample opportunities for on-going training and development
* Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
* Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times
* 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation
* A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave
* Discounted Health Insurance
* Lifestyle discounts with our community partners
* ** Set the scientific vision and roadmap
** for population‑scale genomic and multi‑omic     analyses across CPG programs, including the OurDNA program led by CPG, and the     TenK
10K collaboration with Joseph Powell’s team.
* ** Lead and mentor a distributed computational team**, starting with 7–10 senior     computational biologists, bioinformaticians, and data managers; champion professional growth and an inclusive team culture.
* ** Own delivery
** of the genetic component of the TenK
10K project (10 K genomes + 10 K     matched single cell transcriptomes) and multiple OurDNA multi-omic datasets, ensuring robust pipelines, QC, variant interpretation, and publication‑ready results.
* ** Contribute to design, fund-raising, and launch
** of a new Australian National Genomic     Medicine Cohort in partnership with research teams, healthcare groups, community     representatives, industry partners, and national funding bodies.
* ** Forge external collaborations
** with academic, clinical, industry and Indigenous partners; represent CPG at national and international fora.
* ** Contribute to organisational leadership
** through the leadership team, contributing to strategy, budgeting, hiring, and culture‑setting.
* ** Ensure best‑practice governance
** for data security, privacy, ethics, Indigenous data sovereignty, and work health and safety.
* Comply with Garvan’s and MCRI’s Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy and work in     accordance with the WHS management system at all times.
* Perform other duties aligned with the scope and classification of the role as required.

Work with the OurDNA program team to
** integrate community priorities into scientific*
* ** planning and delivery**, ensuring the impact of OurDNA reflects a participatory, and co-designed approach centred around equitable partnerships.
* 10+ years of experience in population genetics, statistical genetics, large‑scale genomics or a related field, including a
** PhD or equivalent years of experience in academia or industry.
*** 5+ years
** leadership experience
** managing scientific or technical teams; able to inspire, delegate and develop talent in a remote setting.
* A genuine
** passion…