Research Assistant in Immunology and Urinary Tract Diseases

• Full time, fixed term for 12 months with the possibility for extension (up to 2 years)
• Exciting opportunity to be a Research Assistant in Immunology and Urinary Tract Diseases with the School of Medical Sciences
• Based at The Charles Perkins Centre, Camperdown Campus
• Base Salary starting from $93,345 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The School of Medical Sciences is recognised as one of the leading centres for medical science in the world. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of medical scientists who will be leading members of the medical research community. Our team of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy across a range of therapeutic areas.

The Urinary Tract Disease Research Group within the School of Medical Sciences is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our growing research program investigating chronic and severe urinary tract diseases. Led by Dr Malcolm Starkey, the team combines immunology, microbiology, preclinical disease modelling and translational research approaches to better understand the mechanisms underlying urinary tract diseases to inform future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

The successful candidate will contribute to a collaborative research program integrating preclinical models, human biospecimens and translational research approaches. The position provides opportunities to work with unique disease models and multidisciplinary collaborators spanning basic, translational and clinical research.

Current research themes include:

• host mechanisms regulating urinary tract health and disease
• biomarker discovery for urinary tract infection and cystinuria
• preclinical testing of novel therapeutic approaches.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop technical and research skills, contribute to high-quality biomedical research and gain experience across a broad range of experimental approaches in a collaborative research environment.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• assist with laboratory-based research projects investigating urinary tract disease
• contribute to the development and implementation of experimental protocols and research procedures
• perform experimental procedures in accordance with established protocols, ethical requirements and laboratory standard operating procedures
• assist with preclinical mouse studies, including animal monitoring, tissue collection, sample processing and record keeping
• undertake molecular, cellular and immunological laboratory techniques to support research projects
• assist with tissue processing, histology, microscopy and image analysis
• collect, organise and maintain accurate research records, databases and experimental data
• assist with data collection, quality control, analysis and interpretation to support research objectives
• contribute to the preparation of research reports, publications, ethics applications and grant-related documentation
• collaborate with researchers, students and external partners to support project delivery and communicate research progress
• assist with laboratory organisation, inventory management and ordering of consumables
• support laboratory health, safety and compliance activities, including maintenance of records, procedures and training requirements
• participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to a collaborative research environment
• ensure compliance with relevant health, safety, regulatory and University requirements.
• undertake other duties appropriate to the classification level of the role.

About you

Essential criteria

• honours degree (first class honours or equivalent) in immunology, microbiology, biomedical science, medical science or equivalent research laboratory experience
• experience working with mouse models, including animal handling and/or processing of animal tissues and biospecimens
• experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques relevant to biomedical research
• experience handling, processing and analysing biological specimens
• demonstrated ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and research data
• strong organisational, time-management and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Desirable criteria

• experience with immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, immunophenotyping, immune cell isolation, or cell culture
• experience with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, nucleic acid extraction, gene expression analysis or genotyping
• experience with histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence or tissue imaging
• experience with confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis
• experience processing and analysing human biospecimens
• experience with organoid systems, primary cell culture or advanced epithelial cell culture models
• experience analysing biological datasets using statistical, bioinformatics or image analysis software
• experience working within regulated research environments and maintaining compliance or quality documentation.

About the research group

The Urinary Tract Disease Research Group investigates the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections and cystinuria. Our research combines innovative preclinical models, human cohorts and multidisciplinary approaches to address major unmet needs in urinary tract disease. We maintain collaborations with clinicians, patient advocacy organisations, philanthropic partners and industry collaborators to help guide research priorities and maximise opportunities for translation.

Key strengths of the program include:

• access to unique and proprietary preclinical models of cystinuria
• strong capabilities in immunology and preclinical disease modelling
• access to human clinical cohorts and biospecimens
• national and international research collaborations
• partnerships with clinicians, patient advocacy groups, philanthropy and industry
• exposure to research spanning fundamental discovery through to translational application.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic and expanding research environment with excellent opportunities for technical skill development, research training, collaboration and future career progression.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact, Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email to ajaypal.singh@sydney.edu.au.

©The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Tuesday 10 November 2026 11:59 PM