Foster innovation and inspiring breakthroughs in RNA design for therapeutics development at the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in CancerLead cutting-edge RNA research with Professor Archa Fox, driving clinically-relevant projects and mentoring staff and PhD studentsLevel B, full-time appointment for 2 years with a possibility of extension depending on funding and performance, starting in July 2024Base salary range: $108,509 - $128,404 p.a.plus 17% superannuation The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities.With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia's top university.About the AreaThe Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer (ACRTC) is an RNA production and innovation node in Western Australia dedicated to developing cancer treatments.We aim to integrate RNA technology with cancer research strengths in Australia to translate discoveries into the clinic.We will bring together multidisciplinary groups involving RNA technologists, oncologists, consumers, and patients advocates to design, synthesise, test and improve RNA drugs; and tackle aggressive and hard to treat cancers as use cases to develop RNA drugs and platform approaches to treating cancers.The Centre also includes the RNA Innovation Foundry (RIF): a dedicated mRNA production facility with a focus on automated high-throughput production of mRNA for preclinical experiments.About the OpportunityReporting to the Director for ACRTC, Professor Archa Fox, you will undertake innovative research on RNA structure optimisation and design.You will apply the innovative research to clinically relevant pilot projects supported by the ACRTC, as well as collaborative projects with other industry and academic partners through the RIF.Your work will contribute to the broader goals of designing better RNA Therapeutics that would confer optimal characteristics for clinical use, in terms of stability, translational efficiency, regulation and endosomal escape.You will co-supervise PhD students and research staff conducting a range of aligned research projects.You will have ready access to the RIF and the associated workflows and infrastructure.The position also includes provision of funds for consumables for your research.You will also be expected to collaborate closely with multiple research groups and to build new research collaborations with other groups in Australia and overseas.About YouYou thrive on collaboration, possessing a genuine passion and experience working with teams developing novel Intellectual Property (IP) breakthroughs and communicating your research, as evidenced by patents filed and/or publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals.You have exceptional interpersonal, written, and communication skills, enabling you to interface with various projects in the development of RNA technology.To be considered for this opportunity, you will demonstrate: PhD in molecular biology, biotechnology or a related disciplineExperience in RNA biology, computational biology and/or molecular biology techniquesExperience managing multiple ongoing projectsHighly-developed research, analytical and problem-solving skillsEvidence of good supervision of studentsExperience in structural biology is desirable
