Research Assistant

An exciting opportunity is available for a Research Assistant to join the Snow Centre for Immune Health at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the position

The Snow Centre for Immune Health has a global mission to improve the lives of people with immune diseases, using a new approach to immune health. The centre, co-led by WEHI and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, will bring together leading Australian and international researchers with a shared mission to transform how we research and treat the immune system. Our goal is to accelerate discoveries into the underlying features and markers of immune health, to identify disease causes early and target appropriate treatment. The Centre has been established in partnership with the Snow Medical Research Foundation.

WEHI is seeking an experienced Research Assistant to join the Snow Centre research team, working closely with the Tye-Din laboratory in the Immunity division and the Snow Assay Hub. In this role, you will contribute to the execution and optimisation of functional immune assays using human samples, such as whole blood cytokine-release assays, PBMC-based assays, immune cell stimulation assays, antigen-specific T cell assays, and flow cytometry-based phenotyping. The successful candidate will support the progression of assays through a structured development and validation pipeline, working collaboratively with researchers and assay development teams. Responsibilities will include sample processing, cell isolation and cryopreservation, performing functional immune assays in a time-sensitive manner, cytokine assessments using sensitive assays following standardised protocols, and data handling, analysis, and collation.

Selection Criteria

Knowledge and skills

• BSc with Honours or Masters in an appropriate area of study, or relevant experience

• Demonstrated laboratory research experience, previous human sample handling and processing preferred

• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately record data, results and the development of new methods

• Excellent oral and written communication and reporting skills

Personal qualities

• Good communication skills and the ability to work constructively within a team environment

• Ability to work as part of a team using laboratory experimental protocols 

• Motivated to perform experiments to the highest quality and keep a meticulous laboratory notebook

• Excellent attention to detail

• Ability to manage time effectively, to be reliable, respectful, and approachable

• Open to flexibility, including work hours, based on patient sample collection

• Willing to take direction and have their progress reviewed where required

Terms of appointment

This position is available for two years in a full-time capacity, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and project requirements. Salary is Research Employee Level 5-6 ($84,479 - $106,069). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Dr Melinda Hardy – [email protected]

A position description is available here.

How to apply

Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.

Application closing date:  Monday 14 September 2026.