Scientist, Clinical Research, Medical Science

Work Location:

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Australia’s leading public healthcare providers.

Join the team. Build a career. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

• Grade 2 full-time ongoing position.
• Play a key role in research on human immunity to respiratory viruses.
• Join a team that has developed specialist technologies and established observational studies and clinical trials to dissect antiviral immune responses.
• Contribute to understanding human immune responses to vaccination and infection with the goal of improving vaccination strategies.

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza (WHOCCRRI) is part of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory. Together with the WHO Collaborating Centres in Atlanta, Beijing, London and Tokyo, we are responsible for analysing influenza viruses currently circulating in the human population in different countries around the world. We are located at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, a world‑class institute combining research, teaching, public health and reference laboratory services.

The Life Scientist in this role supports research on respiratory virus vaccination and infection, contributing technical expertise in immunology, virology and molecular biology. The role focuses on improving influenza vaccine effectiveness by characterising factors that influence vaccine immunogenicity. The successful candidate will be part of a team that evaluates humoral and cellular responses to infection and vaccination with influenza and other respiratory viruses.

• Process study samples, including preparation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
• Perform serological assays including hem agglutination inhibition assay, microneutralization assay and ELISA.
• Propagate viruses and perform next‑generation sequencing (Oxford Nanopore).
• Generate virus mutants via reverse genetics and site‑directed mutagenesis.
• Express recombinant virus proteins and monoclonal antibodies.
• Assess B cells reactive with recombinant virus proteins, produced and labelled in‑house, using flow cytometry and single‑cell gene expression analysis.

• Bachelor’s degree (with Honours) in Science or equivalent, with a major in Immunology.
• At least 5 years of relevant laboratory experience, preferably some of this time working with influenza or other respiratory viruses.
• Proficient in cell culture and virus isolation.
• Proficient in serological assays and familiar with in‑vitro assays.
• Proficient in classical virological techniques including plaque assay and TCID
  50.
• Experienced in influenza reverse genetics systems.
• Have good molecular biology skills including qRT‑PCR, next‑generation sequencing, cloning, site‑directed mutagenesis, transfection and protein expression, and single‑cell library preparation using 10× Genomics kits.
• Have hands‑on experience with PBMC isolation and multicolour flow cytometry.
• Able to contribute effectively as a team member and demonstrate independence to plan, organise and conduct experiments.
• Experienced in accurate record keeping and use of electronic laboratory management databases.
• Have a sound knowledge of biosafety issues in handling infectious agents.
• Able to analyse data using standard programs such as Microsoft Excel, Graphpad Prism and RStudio.
• Experienced in working in a NATA designated environment.

• Salary range of $94,400–106,900, depending on prior experience.
• Career progression opportunities to suit your professional development goals.
• Enjoy excellent work‑life balance working in a supportive and collaborative team.
• Salary packaging and proximity to public transport.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and satisfactory Working With Children Check.

The RMH is committed to creating a culturally safe environment as a collective responsibility. We draw on our principles of self‑determination, equity, accountability and shared learning to create a culturally responsive health system that challenges how we strive for continuous quality improvement to meet the expectations of the communities and patients we serve.

RMH is a child‑safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people in line with the Child Safe Standards.

As a leader in healthcare, we recognise the need to foster a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging. We encourage people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities to apply, and will provide adjustments to support equitable participation.