• Opportunity in biofunctionalisation to modulate and control cell responses at material interfaces
• Located between the Darlington and Camperdown Campus, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science and the Charles Perkins Centre
• Full-Time, 5 Years Fixed Term, Academic Level A: Base Salary: $94,629 p.a. - $101,018 p.a. plus annual leave loading and a generous employer’s contribution to superannuation.

About the opportunity

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to be part of the research groups of Professor Marcela Bilek and Dr Giselle Yeo. The position involves working in a multidisciplinary team on a research programme that aims to develop novel surface modifications and biomolecular functionalisation, to modulate and control cell responses at material interfaces. You will develop and perform cell- and protein-based assays that reveal information pertaining to a mechanistic understanding of key materials-biosystem interactions. The fact that biomolecules immobilised on surfaces often behave differently compared to the same molecules in solution adds additional challenges that will require the development of innovative biomolecular characterisation approaches.

You will perform analysis of surface-bound biomolecules to characterise their density, conformations, orientations, and functionality. Fundamental studies of the effects of pH and ionic concentration prevailing during immobilisation will be conducted on planar model surfaces, with verification needed on plasma-treated particulates and on the internal surfaces of porous materials. The complex geometries prevalent in these types of materials add further challenges requiring innovative approaches and potentially innovative new assays.  You will develop and perform experiments to characterise the viability, distribution, phenotype and functional response of cell populations seeded on or within plasma-modified and biofunctionalised materials.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who has:

• PhD or near completion in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or closely-related discipline.
• Proficiency with protein/peptide detection and characterisation techniques compatible with 3D scaffolds such as particulates and microporous materials. These may include spectrophotometry, fluorescence imaging, colorimetric assays and ELISAs.
• Proficiency in the culture, quantification and characterisation of mammalian cells on planar and 3D substrates, including cell viability, cell adhesion and proliferation assays, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry.
• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques including SDS-PAGE, microarray analyses, real-time PCR, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry.
• Advanced bio-imaging skills, including live cell imaging, light sheet or confocal microscopy.

About us

The creation of the School of Biomedical Engineering is an important step by the University of Sydney in cementing our position as Australia’s largest and most diverse biomedical engineering program, that is expanding our national and international identity and engaging further with biomedical industries and services that employ our graduates and inspire our research. The School of Biomedical Engineering will undertake cutting-edge research at the crossroads of medicine and engineering, health and innovation. Its focus is on technological therapies and treatments to support a world where people live longer and more active lives. The innovative, collaborative and cross-disciplinary nature of this research is a hallmark of the school’s approach, which integrates a diverse array of perspectives supported by contemporary infrastructure and strong links with industry.

The Charles Perkins Centre is a world-leading multidisciplinary research centre committed to generating innovative approaches to combat global health challenges. Our vision eschews traditional approaches that tend to consider medical or biological factors in isolation from their psychological, societal and environmental contexts. We bring together the best minds from diverse areas of technology, food, environment, and genetics to develop unusual solutions and realise unexpected research outcomes. We are home to over 900 researchers and 1500 undergraduate students. The Centre is purpose-built to support world-class research and collaboration, with fully-equipped open-plan laboratories and state-of-the-art core facilities in cellular imaging, preclinical and clinical imaging, cytometry, genomics and proteomics.

The School of Physics at the University of Sydney is the leading Physics department in the country, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research. Its research in the field of plasma physics is internationally acclaimed. The School of Physics is committed to creating a diverse workplace by improving equity, access and opportunity. We want to create an environment where individuality is welcomed and celebrated. We are continuously working to identify and remove biases and barriers in an effort to make our workplace open, supportive and safe for everyone.

Since our inception 160 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to diversity and inclusion, and underpin our long-term strategy for growth. We’re Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. Across our campuses, we employ over 7600 academic and non-academic staff who support over 60,000 students.

We are undergoing significant transformative change which brings opportunity for innovation, progressive thinking, breaking with convention, challenging the status quo, and improving the world around us.

How to apply

For more information on the position and University, please view the position description available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website. Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number 2342/1119F to apply.

Closing date: 11:30pm, Tuesday 3 December 2019

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

© The University of Sydney

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