Research Fellow (NAFLD & Liver Cancer)

Research Fellow (NAFLD & Liver Cancer)

Job No.: 643387

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 2-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: $72,927 – $98,975 pa Level A (plus 17% employer superannuation)

• Enjoy the freedom to discover something new
• Be surrounded by extraordinary ideas – and the people who discover them
• Take your research further with state-of-the-art infrastructure

Monash is a university of transformation, progress and optimism. Our people are our most valued asset, with our academics among the best in the world. You will be part of a university that’s made up of inspirational, challenging thinkers and doers – and your work will make a lasting impact. Monash University was founded on the belief that the search for knowledge and the ways to use it never end. Discover more at www.monash.edu .

The Opportunity

The Cellular Signalling and Human Disease Laboratory (www.monash.edu/discovery-institute/tiganis-lab ) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in the processes contributing to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in obesity.

NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) is the now the world’s most common chronic liver disorder. Its prevalence has reached epidemic proportions, affecting 20-30% of the population worldwide. Although GWAS have defined strong genetic determinants for disease onset and progression, its prevalence can be attributed to the entrenched and growing worldwide obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics. NAFLD encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) evident in 20-30% of NAFLD patients and characterised by chronic lipid accumulation, liver damage and lobular and/or portal inflammation. The liver damage and inflammation elicit reparative processes that result in fibrosis. Ultimately, persistent reparative responses can lead to severe fibrosis/cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, or HCC. NASH is currently the second leading cause for liver transplantation and the fastest growing cause for HCC in the developed world.

The current project will take advantage of cell models, animal models, human liver specimens and spatial transcriptomics to determine the molecular mechanisms by which obesity drives the development of NAFLD and its progression to NASH and HCC. A key focus will be on the importance of redox balance and immune cells. The project will build on previous studies from the lab (Gurzov et al., Cell Metab 2014; Grohmann et al., Cell 2018) and explore novel approaches for combating HCC in NAFLD.

The successful candidate will have a doctoral qualification in metabolism or cancer metabolism or progress towards a doctorate in metabolism or cancer metabolism, as well as experience in immunology, molecular and genomic techniques and the use of animal models.

This role is a full-time position, however, flexible working arrangements may be negotiated.

Your application must address the selection criteria. Please refer to  “How to apply for Monash Jobs “.

We encourage applications from First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities and age groups.

Join us in our commitment to ensuring a better future for ourselves and for the communities in which we study, work, live and engage – #ChangeIt with us.

Enquiries

Professor Tony Tiganis, +61 3 9902 9332

Position Descriptions

 Research Fellow (NAFLD & Liver Cancer)

Closing Date

Sunday 27 November 2022, 11:55pm AEDT

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