At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Medical Scientist Grade 1 - Molecular Pathology
- Fixed term (to February 2027), full time position
- 80 Hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs & 5-Weeks Annual Leave & 17.5% Leave Loading
- Parkville Location, with multiple public transport options
- Salary Range from $63,674.00 to $91,785.20 + Salary Packaging + Super
About the team
The Molecular Pathology Laboratory in the Department of Pathology is recognised for its leading role in molecular and genomic diagnostic testing, supporting personalised cancer treatment and clinical trials. The team works with advanced technologies, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, and timely patient results.
About the role
We are seeking a motivated Medical Scientist (Grade 1) to join our High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) team. This role supports a growing molecular diagnostics service, contributing directly to patient care at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and for our external clients.
A regular day will see you:
- Setting up next generation sequencing (NGS) assays using both automated platforms and manual techniques
- Review laboratory data and QC metrics to ensure assay and instrument performance meet required standards
- Assist in troubleshooting assay and instrument issues, escalating where required
- Support the training and development of staff within the HTS team
- Collaborate with senior scientists to identify and implement workflow improvements
- Contribute to maintaining compliance with laboratory quality systems and accreditation requirements
About you
You are a detail-oriented and proactive laboratory professional who thrives in a fast paced, collaborative environment and is committed to delivering high quality molecular diagnostic results. You hold a relevant science degree and bring experience in next generation sequencing. Good communication and teamwork skills are essential, as is the ability to support others through training and troubleshooting.
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:
- Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
- Discounted health insurance and eye care
- A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
- Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
- Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
- Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
- Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, and monthly ADO’s
- Flexible working hours
Inclusion and belonging
Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation, and we do not tolerate child abuse. We support and value all children and young people. We promote and prioritise the safety of children who are in our care or visiting our campuses.
Join us!
If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.
Victorian Department of Health has endorsed the initiative to restructure existing public pathology by bringing together laboratories into pathology networks operating under a lead health service. Pathology services from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital will transition to a single pathology service. This creates an exciting opportunity to strengthen the scope, scale and reach of pathology services across the Parkville precinct to benefit all Victorians. This role will transition to the new lead health service for pathology services once determined.
For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact.
Hiring Manager: Georgina Ryland
Email: [email protected]
Contact Number: 03 8559 6607
Application closing date: 11:50pm Wednesday 24 June 2026
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
To support the Molecular Pathology Laboratory to provide the highest quality of molecular services to the patients of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and its external clients: Key duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Participation in all areas of preanalytical and assay setup including but not limited to Sanger sequencing, MLPSA, NGS workflows, ddPCR, HRM etc
- Maintain knowledge of medical/scientific literature relevant to the laboratory’s testing programme
- Training & proficiency sign-off of staff in new methodologies
- Supervision of technical staff within section
- Preparation and maintenance of standard operating procedure
- Quality management and maintenance of accreditation
- Awareness & adherence to Occupational Health and Safety policies
- Contribution to assay development.
- Ethically conducting all duties
NOTE: The hours of this position are subject to change in line with our commitment to providing exceptional customer service
Medical Scientists, Pharmacists, and Psychologists
Internal
Clinicians, genetic counsellors, researchers, and pathology scientists
External
Clinicians, external clients and institutions
Essential requirements
- BSc or equivalent with experience in molecular diagnostics
- Experience in diagnostic pathology with specific experience in high-throughput diagnostic molecular pathology
- Experience and competency in the performance and understanding of a wide range of diagnostic tests, procedures, or of complex and specialised tests including but not limited to Sanger sequencing, MLPSA, NGS workflows, ddPCR, HRM etc
- Experience with laboratory quality systems (Qpulse experience preferred)
- Experience with preparing and maintaining NATA documentation
- Experience with designing, optimising and validation of new assays
- Recognised scientific training and competence relevant to the position including appropriate knowledge and experience in laboratory services, quality systems, information technology, analytical methods and techniques used
- Interpersonal attributes necessary to work as part of an effective and clinically interactive team
- Professional approach to patient care, service confidentiality and provision of pathology/testing services
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to meet the clinical expectations of client
- Ability to work and communicate cooperatively in a team including other scientists, senior scientists, pathologists, genetic counsellors, clinical staff and researchers
- Demonstrated ability to present work, write protocols and maintain documentation
Desireable requirements
- Relevant Professional Society Membership (eg. HGSA)
- Experience with one or more of: automated sequencing (Sanger & NGS), high resolution melting, genotyping, real-time PCR, digital PCR and bio-informatics
Key Accountabilities
Demonstrated By/Key Performance Indicators
1. The provision of molecular pathology services that meet clinical requirements including TAT
- Competence to make independent analytical decisions in the performance and understanding of a wide range of diagnostic tests or procedures or of complex tests
- Training of undergraduate and graduate scientific staff within laboratory protocols
- Efficient management of resources so that the laboratory’s clients are satisfied the service meets the clinical needs of their patients and test results / reports are issued with clinically acceptable turnaround times
- Validation and authorization of reports including signing out when delegated from Team Leader(s) or Principal Scientist for Molecular Pathology
- Smooth and efficient operation of daily workflow including specimen receipt, tracking, test performance, rostering and reporting as required
- Minimal disruption to continuity of service delivery
- Demonstrates an understanding of customer service for internal and external customers and is committed to effectively meeting their needs in a helpful and professional manner
- Keeps patient information confidential
- Monitors, and adheres to key performance indicators
- All documentation is completed including procedures, maintenance records and quality assurance procedures according to laboratory, NATA ISO15189 standards and protocols
2. Operates and maintains laboratory equipment as required
- All equipment is operated and maintained in accordance with laboratory manuals and procedures
- Instruments have minimal down time
- Validates new processes and equipment
- Promptly reports procedural breakdowns, errors and incidents by means of the non-conformance reporting system
3. Uses the laboratory LIS for processing and testing of all samples and has an understanding of the clinical implications of laboratory results
- Ensures the appropriate identification and labelling of specimens and request forms, processing of all specimens for assay or dispatch to other laboratories, data entry of all relevant patient and testing information
- Contacts the requesting medical officer or other staff when additional information is required or specimens cannot be processed according to laboratory protocol
- Is familiar with the internal and external quality control activities within the laboratory and complies with the relevant QC protocols
4. Recognizes and reports any clinically significant results to the appropriate staff member and any laboratory problems to senior scientific staff
- Provide professional advice within and/or outside the laboratory on appropriate scientific/clinical matters
- Communication with clinical staff and external clients as appropriate
- Liaises well with other staff members to ensure that all molecular pathology testing adheres to the relevant protocols
- Seeks the advice of the senior scientific staff to solve any scientific and technical problems in the laboratory
- Participates where appropriate in internal and external QA programs
- Participates in educational activities including attendance at internal and external training courses, clinical and scientific meetings
- Demonstrated commitment to further education and ongoing professional development, which may include attendance at scientific meetings and activities recognised through the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, or equivalent professional body
- Maintains and develops own specialised skills
- Embraces skill extension, innovation and change
6. Works as part of a team
- Communicates and cooperates with co-workers to ensure work is completed within appropriate timeframes
- Supports a workplace culture that encourages change, learning, innovation and a team-based approach with a client-responsive and patient-oriented emphasis
7. Maintain safe working practices and a safe working environment.
- Implement measures designed to minimise accidents and injuries (in consultation with Senior Scientists and Principal Scientist for Molecular Pathology)
- Ensure laboratory compliance with relevant OHS legislative and regulatory requirements
- Ensure that all incidents and near misses are reported in the appropriate system and that these records are used for continuous safety improvements
- Liaison with OHS representative
8. Follows appropriate policies and procedures
- Acts in accordance with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) professional code of conduct
- Compliance with NPAAC guidelines for nucleic acid testing
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
