Garvan Institute of Medical Research – Sydney NSW

8mo ago , from Garvan Institute of Medical Research

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We’re seeking a highly accomplished Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (3-year position) with deep expertise in functional genomics and molecular mechanisms to lead the next phase of our causal target validation program. This role sits at the interface of cutting‑edge genomic discovery, mechanistic biology, and translational therapeutic development. It is ideally suited to a scientist who is excited to turn large‑scale genomic insights into new biological understanding and actionable therapeutic opportunities.

This position builds directly on the substantial computational foundation generated through our TenK10K initiative, the world’s largest single‑cell multi‑omics resource. With single‑cell multi‑omic profiles from 10,000 donors, matched genotypes, and rich clinical phenotyping, our team has already produced a significant body of computational work (multiple senior‑author papers under review at high‑impact journals) and comprehensive maps of how genetic variation perturbs genome regulation across circulating immune cell populations.

The successful candidate will take these discoveries from statistical association to mechanistic validation,



designing and executing experimental strategies, including CRISPR perturbations, single‑cell functional assays, and high‑throughput molecular readouts, to define causal genes, pathways, and regulatory mechanisms. The work requires a strong command of functional genomics, genome engineering, single‑cell technologies, and immunological, as well as the ability to collaborate closely with computational biologists who have built the underlying discovery pipeline.

This is a well‑resourced, high‑momentum program with dedicated technical staff, access to state‑of‑the‑art cellular genomics platforms, and substantial collaborative and industry support. As part of our broader translational genomics strategy, the role offers an exceptional chance to uncover novel biology, generate IP, and contribute to therapeutic target discovery in close partnership with industry and clinical collaborators.

The postdoc joining this program will have the opportunity to:

Drive high‑impact discoveries in gene regulation, immune variation, disease mechanisms, and functional cell states.

Lead work that directly enables first‑author publications, with multiple manuscripts already under review from Phase 1 of the study.

Build and lead increasing functional capacity within the Powell Lab and broader Garvan ecosystem.

Work closely with molecular research assistants and staff scientists to support experimental work.





Work within a project that is heavily resourced and with substantial collaborations, including industry partners and Prof Daniel MacArthur’s Centre for Population Genomics and Immunologist collaborators.

More broadly, the Powell Lab’s research focused on how human genetic variation shapes cellular function and disease, with the long‑term vision of building a cell‑resolved, causal map of human biology. We seek to understand, at scale, how DNA variation rewires regulatory networks, shifts cell states, and drives human disease, and to translate these insights into better diagnostics and therapeutics.

To achieve this, we develop and integrate cutting‑edge experimental and computational

platforms:

Large‑cohort single‑cell genomics (e.g., TenK10K) generating millions of profiles to map regulatory architecture across diverse individuals.

iPSC “Village” systems and CRISPR perturbation to experimentally dissect and validate gene function in controlled, scalable cellular models.

Advanced computational genomics, machine learning, and causal inference frameworks that link genetic variants to cellular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Our research spans immune biology, cardiac disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer, unified by a central question: Which genes, cell states, and molecular pathways are causally driving human traits and disease, and how can we intervene?

We have built a team that thrives at the intersection of genomics, AI, and cellular biology. Lab members gain access to unique population‑scale datasets, advanced wet‑and‑dry‑lab technologies, and pathways to meaningful collaborations with clinicians, industry partners, and international consortia.

We o

📌 Senior Research Officer (Sydney)
🏢 Garvan Institute Of Medical Research
📍 Sydney