Full time, fixed term for 12 months with the possibility for extension (up to 2 years)
Exciting opportunity to be a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology and Urinary Tract Disease within the School of Medical Sciences
Based at The Charles Perkins Centre, Camperdown Campus
Base Salary starting from $117,936 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity
The School of Medical Sciences is recognised as one of the leading centres for medical science in the world. With over 100 years of excellence in education, we are proud to be training the next generation of medical scientists who will be leading members of the medical research community with an innovative integrated curriculum. Our team of researchers lead key internationally competitive research from molecules to medicines, from patient to policy across a range of therapeutic areas
The Urinary Tract Disease Research Group within the School of Medical Sciences is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our growing research program investigating chronic and severe urinary tract diseases. Led by Dr Malcolm Starkey, the team combines immunology, microbiology, preclinical disease modelling and translational research approaches to better understand the mechanisms underlying urinary tract diseases to inform future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in immunology and host-pathogen interactions, and an interest in applying multi-omics approaches to better understand the biological pathways driving urinary tract disease.
The successful candidate will contribute to a collaborative research program integrating preclinical models, human biospecimens and translational research approaches. The position provides opportunities to work with unique disease models and multidisciplinary collaborators spanning basic, translational and clinical research.
Current research themes include:
host mechanisms regulating urinary tract health and disease
biomarker discovery for urinary tract infection and cystinuria
preclinical testing of novel therapeutic approaches.

This role offers an outstanding opportunity to develop scientific independence, build an international research profile, establish collaborative networks and contribute to a growing research program in urinary tract disease
Your key responsibilities will be to:
design, conduct and lead laboratory-based research projects investigating urinary tract disease
employ and further develop advanced experimental techniques including immunology, molecular biology, biomarker discovery and preclinical disease models
analyse and interpret complex experimental datasets and contribute to high-quality research outputs and publications
assist with the supervision and mentoring of honours, PhD and research students
contribute to grant applications, ethics submissions and research reporting
establish and maintain productive collaborations with academic, clinical and industry stakeholders
present research findings at local seminars, national conferences and international scientific meetings
undertake administrative activities and contribute to school and faculty initiatives as appropriate
foster a positive and inclusive research culture that values collaboration, innovation and excellence
support and contribute to the strategic priorities of the school, faculty and university
undertake other duties and projects appropriate to the classification of the role.

About you
essential criteria
PhD in immunology or a closely related biomedical discipline (e.g. microbiology, molecular biology, biomedical science, medical science)
extensive hands-on experience with mouse models of disease, including experimental design, complex animal procedures, disease phenotyping, tissue collection and downstream analyses
demonstrated expertise in immunology, host-pathogen interactions, inflammation, infectious disease biology
demonstrated experience conducting independent biomedical research to completion
strong publication record relative to career stage
demonstrated experience with extensive laboratory techniques relevant to molecular, cellular and translational biomedical research
strong analytical, organisational,



time and problem-solving skills
exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including scientific writing and presentation experience
demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary research team.

desirable criteria
highly developed bioinformatics expertise in one or more of the following areas: single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics
experience establishing, maintaining and interrogating organoid systems or advanced 3-dimensional epithelial cell culture models
experience in the histological and histopathological assessment of mouse tissues and biospecimens, including tissue processing, sectioning, staining, imaging and quantitative analysis
experience with confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis
experience with flow cytometric characterisation of immune cells in tissues
experience with supervising undergraduate or postgraduate research students
experience developing collaborations with academic, clinical or industry partners
experience contributing to competitive grant, fellowship or other funding applications.

About the research group
The urinary tract disease research group investigates the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections and cystinuria. Our research combines innovative preclinical models, human cohorts and multidisciplinary approaches to address major unmet needs in urinary tract disease. We maintain collaborations with clinicians, patient advocacy organisations, philanthropic partners and industry collaborators to help guide research priorities and maximise opportunities for translation
Key strengths of the program include:
access to unique and proprietary preclinical models of cystinuria
strong capabilities in immunology and preclinical disease modelling
access to human clinical cohorts and biospecimens
national and international research collaborations
partnerships with clinicians, patient advocacy groups, philanthropy and industry
exposure to research spanning fundamental discovery through to translational application.

The successful candidate will join a energetic and expanding research environment with excellent opportunities for scientific development, collaboration, networking and career progression.
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellenceand we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People,



women ,people living with a disability ,people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify asLGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via theApplybutton at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into yourWorkday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact, Ajaypal Singh, Recruitment Operations by email to ****** .
©The University of Sydney
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
Applications Close
Sunday 08 November *******:59 PM
The University of Sydney was established in **** and is consistently recognised, both locally and internationally, for its outstanding teaching and research excellence. Sydney alumni include Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, Nobel Prize winners and leaders in every field of endeavour.
The University offers a comprehensive range of courses, including a number of disciplines unique in Australia. Teaching is spread across nine different state-of-the art campuses, located across New South Wales.
The University of Sydney's commitment to excellence in research has resulted in an outstanding record in national competitive funding and underpins an approach to teaching which has won nominations for excellence and resulted in high student satisfaction ratings. The University has 78 research centres and institutes and is home to three ARC Centres of Excellence.
The teaching, research and cultural life of the University is supported by extensive facilities, including the largest library collection in the Southern Hemisphere, the world-class Nicholson Museum of archaeological antiquities, the Macleay Museum of natural history and ethnographic collections and the University Art Gallery. Its outstanding sporting and recreation facilities provide a training centre for students and Olympic athletes.
The University of Sydney is a key member of the Group of Eight Australian major research-intensive universities, and the Worldwide Universities Network.
Campuses
The University of Sydney has nine official campuses.
1. Camperdown/Darlington Campus.
2. Cumberland Campus. Home to the Faculty of Health Sciences (based in Lidcombe).
3. Mallett Street Campus. Home of the Sydney Nursing School.
4. Sydney Conservatorium of Music Campus. In Macquarie Street, central Sydney.
5. Rozelle Campus. Home to Sydney College of the Arts.
6. Surry Hills Campus. Home to the Faculty of Dentistry.
7. Camden Campus. Contains facilities connected to the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.
8. Burren Street Campus. Facilties are currently under development.
9. Sydney Medical School campuses. These include the School of Rural Health (in Dubbo and Orange), the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital, Westmead Hospital, the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Nepean Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, and Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health.
Faculties
The University of Sydney has 16 faculties.
1. Agriculture and Environment
2. Architecture, Design and Planning
3. Arts and Social Sciences
4. Business (Business School)
5. Dentistry
6. Education and Social Work
7. Engineering and Information Technologies
8. Health Sciences
9. Law (Sydney Law School)
10. Medicine (Sydney Medical School)
11. Nursing and Midwifery
12. Pharmacy
13. Science
14. Sydney College of the Arts
15. Sydney Conservatorium of Music
16. Veterinary Science
Number of Employees
Full-time employees: ****
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📌 Research Associate - Urinary Tract Disease Research Group (Sydney)
🏢 Centre For Continuing Education
📍 Sydney