Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

Ko te whare Pūtaiao | The Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland is the largest and most highly ranked science faculty in New Zealand. The Faculty of Science is ranked among the top 90 science faculties worldwide by the QS World University Rankings. The 10 departments and schools that form the Faculty of Science represent the breadth and diversity of science in our modern world.

Our staff and students can connect with our flagship groups including Tuākana, Rainbow, Women of Colour, Māori, Pacific, Muslim, and Disabled Staff network and our Waipapa Marae.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team
Te Kura Mātauranga Kiora/The School of Biological Sciences is the largest School within the Faculty of Science.  We are a lively, interdisciplinary School with around 100 academic staff and 4000 students across 38 undergraduate and 34 postgraduate courses. We have international research leaders across a range of fields, organised into three groupings; Ecological and Evolutionary Biology; Cellular, Molecular and Physiological Biology; Biomedical and Human Biology. We are served by well-developed research facilities including controlled environment plant growth facilities, several scientific reserves and access to shared equipment centres for genomics and mass spectroscopy, amongst others. 

The School prides itself on its strong links with research, commercial, and community organisations nationally and internationally. SBS is also home to the University of Auckland’s first and oldest Tuākana programme (est. 1991) which focuses on Māori and Pacific student academic learning success. We are in the heart of Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, a harbour-side city with rich cultural diversity, beaches, islands, iconic volcanoes, and lush forests. Auckland is consistently ranked in the top tier in global quality of life surveys.  

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
In this role you will undertake:

• Research and provide technical support on a Marsden funded project aiming to understand the patient response to immunotherapies. With a focus on melanoma, we aim to identify mechanisms that underlie T cell memory and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors – to provide knowledge that can be exploited to improve all forms of immunotherapy.
• In vitro studies using primary human cancer and T cells and techniques including CRISPR based gene editing, next generation sequencing and analysis, ddPCR, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and western blotting.
• In vivo studies using mouse models.

additional responsibilities are:

• Undertake an active, appropriate, and viable research, with oversight from the named investigators
• Writing up results of research and contributing to the publication of results, including in high-quality peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Deliver progress reports as required
• Develop and maintain an up-to-date academic knowledge in the relevant research field
• Maintain lab book and accurate sample inventories in timely manner

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Molecular Biology/Medical Science or related disciplines
• Prior laboratory research experience
• Computer: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), 13-month fixed-term contract

The salary range is RF1 - $99,788 per annum

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 19th September 2026 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Please reach out to Dr. Hilary Sheppard via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz