Research Assistant in Epilepsy Genetics Research

Job no: 0057491 (2 x positions available)
Location: Hospital Based
Role type: Full time; Fixed-term for 12 months
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/School: Department of Medicine, Austin Health
Salary: Level A – $77,171 – $104,717 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About – Department of Medicine – Austin Health

http://www.austinmedicine.unimelb.edu.au/

The Department of Medicine, Austin Health is a large research focused department in the University of Melbourne Medical School and is committed to high standards of teaching, research and clinical care. The Department has major programs in basic and applied research, has clinical responsibilities at Austin Hospital, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and The Northern Hospital and contributes significantly to the undergraduate teaching program for medical students. The research base is broad with significant funding from NH&MRC and other competitive grant schemes

About the Role
The Research Assistant will be responsible for the recruitment of participants, in-depth phone and face-to-face interviews about individual medical and seizure history and family history, and management of family pedigrees and research files.  Data is entered into a centralised database, requiring a high degree of accuracy and care in the collation of study data.  Other duties include co-ordination of research appointments and investigations, liaison with medical and scientific organisations, collecting patient samples (including collection of blood samples with training provided), applications for medical information, analysis of clinical data to categorise seizure and epilepsy types and interpretation of genomic data to identify genetic causes of epilepsy. 

Responsibilities include:

• Carry out research focused on identifying genetic causes of epilepsy and seizures
• Attend private and hospital outpatient clinics to recruit and engage with study participants
• Recruit and obtain consent from participants and family members in person and by telephone
• Contribute to team and project meetings through participation in discussions on related research publications and the presentation of research data for discussion
• Collaborate with members of the research team and key stakeholders as required

About You
You will possess excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with adults and children, across a diverse range of community and cultural groups. You will bring your excellent written and verbal communication skills and have demonstrated organisational and time management skills to meet deadlines in a fast paced and dynamic environment. 

You will also have:

• A tertiary degree in biological/medical science with an interest in genetics
• Demonstrated ability to use tact and discretion in communicating around issues of health
• Ability to work individually and as part of a large team
• Demonstrated ability to collect and collate information accurately and reliably with meticulous attention to detail
• Proficient computer skills – word processing, databases, use of the internet and graphics

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.

About the University
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits .

Be Yourself
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] .

Position Description