Creating a brighter future for all
Griffith University is a progressive, values-led university dedicated to learning, leadership, and innovation. This is your chance to help us achieve our vision to transform lives and add to human knowledge and understanding in a way that creates a future that benefits all.

Since opening in 1975, Griffith has grown from one campus and 451 students to become a comprehensive, multi-campus institution, with 50,000 students and more than 200,000 graduates.

The Institute for Glycomics is a world leader in the discovery and development of next-generation drugs, vaccines and diagnostics that fight diseases of global impact.

Established in 2000, we’re the only institute of its kind in Australia and one of only a handful in the world.

We engage globally with industry, philanthropic organisations, government and other premier research institutes to build the human capital driving healthcare solutions that address some of the world’s most intractable diseases.

Our multidisciplinary research primarily targets prevention and cures for infectious diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, with a focus on translational research.

Glycans are the Rosetta Stone across the domains of life. All cells have a layer of glycosylated molecules (known as glycocalyx) on their surface that act as primary contact with their external environment. While the mature glycans might differ between species, the building blocks of glycans are shared across the domains of life. The Mak lab has recently described an interaction between a specific pair of glycan building blocks that are critical for the interplay between HIV and human cells.

An electron microscopist / biophysicist is sought to join the Mak Lab at the Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University to study the interplay amongst HIV, vaginal bacteria, and human cells with a recently funded Griffith led US NIH grant.

The successful candidate will perform EM analyses (TEM, SEM, FIB, and / or CLEM) to dissect the interplay amongst virus-bacteria-mammalian cells in the context of glycan biology. Biophysical and virological analyses are done to complement the EM analyses. You will also be trained to use one of the two CyTOF-Imaging (Hyperion) in Australia (that is situated at the Institute for Glycomics) to study virus-bacteria-human interplay.  The position is part of the collaborating team including EM specialists, virologists, bacteriologists, biophysicists, and mass spectrometry scientists.

The successful candidate will be given the opportunity:

• to apply state-of-the-art research tools; and
• to collaborate with cross-disciplinary researchers to facilitate rapid discovery for the field.

Data derived from this work will delineate how shared glycan-based interactions are key to cross-species communications, providing new insights on pathogen invasion (and potentially zoonosis events). 

The successful candidate will also:

• Contribute to basic research discovery that is fundamental to HIV transmission within the context of microbiome.
• Delineate molecular interplay amongst virus, bacteria, and mammalian host cell during virus transmission, and the potential of shared principle with other pathogens.
• Have an opportunity to evaluate relevant drug targets for the development of novel anti-viral therapeutics.

This is a full time, fixed term (two years) position based at the Griffith University Gold Coast campus.

The successful candidate will be appointed at either Grade 1 or 2 depending on experience, skills and qualifications.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area, with prior experience in electron microscopy, biophysical analyses, and/or mass spectrometry.

Experience in HIV biology and/or handling level 3 pathogens is highly desirable.

In addition to the above, you will demonstrate:

• Experience in the specified area of research as above (Grade 1), or extensive research experience including leadership responsibility (Grade 2).
• An ability to meet deadlines.
• High level interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written communication skills.
• Development of publication record (Grade 1), or well-established record of academic publishing (Grade 2),
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Experience with supervision of graduate students.

Why join Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We support the professional and personal development of all our employees and invest in the skills of our people. We offer:

• mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment.
• salary packaging options and corporate health discounts.
• generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading.
• support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Salary Range
The base salary for a Research Fellow (Grade 1) is in the range $82,359 - $96,473 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total package is in the range $96,360 - $112,873 per annum.

The base salary for a Research Fellow (Grade 2) is in the range $105,144 - $124,862 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total package is in the range $123,019 - $146,089 per annum.

How to Apply
Please submit your application online and ensure your application includes the following:    

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, in particular addressing the key criteria in the Qualifications section (above)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume which should include:  
  • Full name, address, telephone number and email address;  
  • Details of education, professional training and qualifications;  
  • Employment history, including present position and details of relevant professional, consulting or industry experience;  
  • Research interests and list of publications;  
  • Research grants awarded and any other relevant information, such as offices held in professional bodies, community services etc.  

Click here to view the Position Description.

Visa sponsorship is possible for this appointment for candidates who do not hold valid Australian work rights.

Further Information
For further information about this role, please contact Professor Johnson Mak on mobile:  0439 562 574 or via email:  [email protected]

For application support, please contact People Services on +61 (0) 7 373 54011.

Closing date: Friday, 26 May 2023 at 5:00pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.