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About the Role

We are seeking a highly accomplished Senior Postdoctoral Researcher for a 3-year position, with deep expertise in functional genomics and molecular mechanisms, to lead the next phase of our causal target validation program. This role sits at the interface of cutting-edge genomic discovery, mechanistic biology, and translational therapeutic development, aiming to turn large-scale genomic insights into new biological understanding and actionable therapeutic opportunities. This position builds directly on the substantial computational foundation generated through our TenK10K initiative, the world’s largest single-cell multi-omics resource. The successful candidate will take discoveries from statistical association to mechanistic validation, designing and executing experimental strategies to define causal genes, pathways, and regulatory mechanisms. This is a well-resourced, high-momentum program with dedicated technical staff, access to state-of-the-art cellular genomics platforms, and substantial collaborative and industry support, offering an exceptional opportunity to uncover novel biology, generate IP, and contribute to therapeutic target discovery.

Responsibilities

Implement and develop advanced molecular functional techniques to understand the mechanisms and biological consequences of disease loci at cellular resolution.
Process, analyse, and interpret functional genomic data to derive biologically meaningful insights.
Work closely with researchers, bioinformaticians, immunologists, and other stakeholders to integrate findings into actionable strategies.
Lead research papers, presentations at national and international conferences, and engage in other scholarly activities to share findings with the broader scientific community.
Act as an Investigator on project and grant applications.
Stay updated with the latest advancements in computational biology, statistical genetics, and single-cell genomics.
Be involved in the recruitment and supervision of research assistants and students.
Drive high-impact discoveries in gene regulation, immune variation, disease mechanisms, and functional cell states.
Lead work that directly enables first-author publications.
Build and lead increasing functional capacity within the Powell Lab and broader Garvan ecosystem.
Work closely with molecular research assistants and staff scientists to support experimental work.
Work within a project that is heavily resourced and with substantial collaborations, including industry partners and Prof Daniel MacArthur’s Centre for Population Genomics and Immunologist collaborators.

Requirements

PhD in immunology, functional genomics, molecular biology, or a related discipline, with a publication record demonstrating strong experimental and conceptual expertise.
Deep knowledge of human immune cell biology, including cellular differentiation, activation pathways, cytokine signalling, and immune effector functions.
Hands-on experience with immune functional assays, such as stimulation/activation assays, cytokine profiling, co-culture systems, flow cytometry, intracellular staining, and readouts of immune cell state and function.
Experience isolating and working with primary human immune cells (e.g., PBMCs, T cells, B cells, monocytes, NK cells), including culture, perturbation, and phenotyping.
Ability to design mechanistic experiments that link genetic variation to immune regulatory pathways, integrating computational predictions with biological models.
Familiarity with single-cell genomics (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq), genome engineering (CRISPR), or high-throughput molecular profiling, and the ability to apply these tools in targeted, hypothesis-driven ways.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with computational biologists, interpret statistical genetics and single-cell discovery outputs, and translate them into functional follow-up.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently drive multi-step mechanistic studies from concept through to validation.
Exceptional attention to detail and rigorous experimental discipline, ensuring reproducibility across complex cell-based experiments.
Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple immune-focused projects and experimental timelines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present immunology-focused findings to multidisciplinary scientific teams.
Motivation to learn new technologies, including emerging single-cell, multi-omic, and genome engineering methods relevant to immune function and therapeutic discovery.
Familiarity with disease-relevant immune models, such as autoimmune T cell activation, chronic inflammation, infection-mimicking stimuli, or dysfunctional myeloid states.
Experience with high-parameter flow cytometry, spectral flow, mass cytometry, or advanced immune phenotyping platforms.
Experience integrating computational predictions into experimental strategy, including working with eQTL/caQTL data, target nomination lists, or genotype-linked cellular phenotypes.
Expertise in cell signalling and intracellular pathway analysis, including phospho-flow, reporter assays, or multiplex protein readouts.
Understanding of drug target biology, therapeutic mechanisms, or early-stage translational discovery workflows.
Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, especially across computational biology, genomics, immunology, and clinical collaborators.
Prior involvement in IP generation, technology development, or industry-facing research partnerships, particularly in immunology or functional genomics.
Experience supervising junior researchers or technical staff, supporting experimental planning, troubleshooting, and analytical interpretation.
Familiarity with regulatory considerations around human samples, including ethics, biobanking, and data governance.
Highly motivated individuals with a strong attention to detail, multi-tasking skills, and a willingness to learn new technologies are also encouraged to apply.

Skills

Functional genomics
Molecular mechanisms
Causal target validation
Genomic discovery
Mechanistic biology
Translational therapeutic development
Single-cell multi-omics
Genome engineering
CRISPR perturbations
Single-cell functional assays
High-throughput molecular readouts
Immune cell biology
Cellular differentiation
Activation pathways
Cytokine signalling
Immune effector functions
Immune functional assays
Cytokine profiling
Co-culture systems
Flow cytometry
Intracellular staining
Primary human immune cells
Computational biology
Statistical genetics
Machine learning
Causal inference frameworks
High-parameter flow cytometry
Spectral flow
Mass cytometry
Cell signalling
Intracellular pathway analysis
Drug target biology
Therapeutic mechanisms
IP generation
Technology development
Biobanking
Data governance
Multi-tasking
Attention to detail
Problem-solving
Organisational skills
Written communication
Verbal communication

Location

Sydney

Work Type

3-year fixed-term contract
Full-time

Experience Level

Senior

Education Level

Salary/Compensations

AU$124,300 – AU$131,900 + 14% super + salary packaging

Benefits

Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)
Ample opportunities for on-going training and development
Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times
18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation
A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave
Discounted Health Insurance
Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

About the Company

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health.
Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease.
From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.
Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision.
We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRI’s.
Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.
We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.

Equal Opportunity

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.