The Masle-Farquhar Laboratory sits within the Translational Genomics Program. Supported by NHMRC, NSW OHMR, Garvan, Arthritis Australia and the Exceptional Responders Program, the Masle-Farquhar “Arthritis & Immunogenomics Laboratory” studies mechanisms and novel treatments of immune diseases, with a major focus on arthritic diseases: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, gout and others. We are rapidly growing a tissue biobank that is unique within NSW, and storing precious tissue samples that are normally discarded during patients’ hospital procedures, from >300 patients to date.
We apply cutting-edge immunology, genomics and multiomics methods to patients’ tissue samples, to reveal the underlying drivers of arthritic diseases. Working with Garvan Biologics, we are co-
designing and producing novel antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, for pre-clinical testing in bespoke mouse models of pathology. Working with >30 clinicians in Sydney and increasingly across Australia, we collect not just samples but detailed longitudinal clinical data, to relate our findings to each patient’s specific disease and treatment course. We aim to radically improve methods of prognosticating, monitoring and treating these debilitating diseases.
We use state of the art biobanking, genomic and multiomics methods to study, in unprecedented detail but also at scale, previous clinical samples including synovial fluid, tissue, bone marrow, blood – and linking key immunogenomic findings to patients’ clinical manifestations. This rapidly expanding, national research program leverages collaboration, coordination and creation or maintenance of scalable, efficient, detail-driven workflows and governance.
We are seeking a highly motivated Project Coordinator to support our growing team. This role provides exposure to a diverse team of experimental scientists and bioinformaticians, clinicians, and project managers.
Salary: Up to $95,000 + 12% superannuation + salary packaging (depending on experience)
Employment Type: 1-year fixed-term , full-time
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary roles of this Project Coordinator / Project Officer role are to: (1) manage and/or develop streamlined, end-to-end processes and SOPs to enable and track patient consents, clinical information, biobanked samples and couriers, experimental procedures, key datasets and deliverables; (2) establish and/or manage relationships within the team and with a growing number of key stakeholders and collaborators; (3) support logistics and overall strategy of the laboratory and our leadership role in growing an arthritis consortium.
Working closely with Dr Masle-Farquhar, the incumbent will play a central role in achieving our lab’s milestones, ongoing strategy and long-term impacts.
The key responsibilities include:
Lead: tracking and organising the unique sample/data resources of the Arthritis Immunogenomics Lab, including couriers, biospecimens and their locations, genomic datasets, optimised protocols, and other technical documents and resources.
Lead: helping the laboratory and key collaborators to adhere to project deliverables and timelines, and to legal, governance, and safety procedures.
(Optional/desired): support Dr Masle-Farquhar in the organisation, logistics and if possible/relevant the scientific writing of funding requests made to government, philanthropic, and industry sources.
Support: Talking to key external collaborators, stakeholders, and potential funders to develop project opportunities, communicate progress, champion collaborations and ensure the timely completion of their project milestones.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
The key skills and experience include:
Passion and enthusiasm for arthritis and inflammatory disease research, and translating this research into the clinic to promote patient outcomes, community engagement and a positive internal work culture.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office/Google suites of softwares, Slack, Airtable, Garvan Workspace. The ability to rapidly adopt the use of novel software or applications (e.g. LIMS; Redcap), and to track and manage complex datasets.
Formal experience in project management, biospecimen logistics management, including sample processing, transport coordination, and risk mitigation.
Strong communication, empathy and collaborative skills, with experience in engaging diverse stakeholders such as scientists, biobanking staff, clinicians and external partners at different levels of seniority.
PhD or clinical expertise relating to one or more of the following: immunology, cellular biology, genomics, hematology and/or rheumatology.
Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.
Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.
We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.
Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.
To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document, stating why you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you think you’re the right person for this role, we’d love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.
