Lead Scientist

• Flexible job share opportunity (2 positions FTE negotiable) until 31 December 2028 for 2 experienced scientists
• provide leadership and operational oversight for an established translational research focused laboratory
• Up to 1 FTE combined Salary $131,108 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Centre for Organ Assessment, Repair & Optimisation (COARO) is seeking two experienced scientists to provide complementary scientific leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of an established translational research laboratory focused on ex vivo perfusion of human organs.

This is an ideal opportunity for established scientists seeking flexible arrangements without compromising leadership impact. The two positions are designed as a co-leadership model, with complementary expertise that strengthens the lab's research direction.

The laboratory has developed a world-leading platform enabling long-term ex vivo organ preservation for up to 7 weeks under near-physiological conditions, creating a unique environment in which organ repair, regeneration, and metabolic adaptation can be established over extended, clinically meaningful timescales. These roles represent the first dedicated biological leadership positions within the program, charged with defining the mechanistic framework underpinning sustained organ repair and regeneration.

Key research areas include understanding the changes in organ metabolism during extended ex vivo perfusion, organ repair, remodelling and regeneration, with a focus on liver, but extending also to other organs such as kidney, pancreas, etc. This laboratory is well funded and entering a growth phase, including the world's first clinical trial of long-term organ preservation prior to transplantation.

Position 1: Cellular Metabolism, Mitochondria Physiology
You bring deep scientific expertise in metabolism, mitochondrial function and physiology. You will apply this knowledge to understand metabolic and physiological changes occurring during extended ex vivo organ preservation, translating your expertise to this novel context.

Position 2: Cellular Repair/Regeneration
You bring deep scientific expertise in tissue repair mechanisms, regeneration biology, and cellular recovery pathways. You will apply this knowledge to understand organ regeneration and functional recovery in ex vivo systems, translating your expertise to this innovative platform.

Flexible Job Share Arrangement

The two positions are offered as a flexible job share arrangement to be negotiated with successful candidates. Combined, they equate to up to 1 FTE, but the distribution is flexible and will be agreed during appointment.

What You Will Do (Shared Responsibilities)

• Provide intellectual leadership and scientific expertise specific to your domain (metabolism/physiology OR regeneration/repair)

• Lead and physically conduct experiments, including experimental design, execution, optimisation, and troubleshooting

• Process and interpret samples using basic science techniques (Western blot, microscopy, etc.) and multiomic data (lipidomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics)

• Co-oversee the scientific agenda, helping design experiments, define priorities, hypotheses, and assessment strategies

• Provide supervision and oversight for the smooth running of multiple research streams conducted at the lab

• Supervise PhD students and junior researchers, ensuring mentorship across the laboratory

• Ensure smooth day-to-day laboratory operations, planning, and coordination

• Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, and laboratory staff in a multidisciplinary environment

• Contribute to publications, reporting, and the longer-term development of the laboratory

• Maintain oversight of the organisation and progress of research projects across the laboratory

• Integrate experimental data across projects to develop coherent biological insight

• PhD with postdoctoral research experience demonstrating scientific independence

• Demonstrated deep expertise in one of the following domains (with working knowledge or the ability to upskill across others):

• Cellular metabolism and injury

• Cellular regeneration and repair mechanisms

• Mitochondrial biology and function

• Evidence of publication in high-impact journals demonstrating research quality and productivity

• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and interpret complex experiments (shown by peer-reviewed publications)

• Proven ability to work with multiomic datasets and integrate diverse analytical approaches

• Track record of leading or contributing to sustained, multi-phase experimental programs

• Experience working in translational or clinically adjacent research environments, ideally involving human tissue or organ systems

• Demonstrated capacity to integrate experimental data across projects to develop coherent biological insight

• Demonstrated ability to prioritise work, maintain a strategic overview of multiple projects, and attend to experimental detail simultaneously

• Outstanding organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams

• Track record of co-leadership or collaborative leadership models

• Experience successfully balancing leadership with hands-on laboratory work

• Commitment to mentoring early-career researchers

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.
 

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations 

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 excellence and 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 as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum 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 the Apply button at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday 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 Danielle Selinger Recruitment Consultant by email to [email protected]
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