Flow Cytometry Officer
Translational Research Institute, Brisbane

The Translational Research Institute (TRI) is a leading Australian medical research, development, and translation facility. It is home to a broad range of cutting-edge research into cancer, chronic diseases, mental health conditions, immunology, genetics and more. TRI’s priority is partnering scientific development with clinicians and the MedTech sector to ensure new discoveries progress quickly and improve patient outcomes and commercial return. To this end, TRI is at the interface of science, medicine, and industry.  Our vision is Exceptional Science, Healthier Lives.

Situated on the Princess Alexandra Hospital precinct, TRI is a joint venture between Queensland Health, The University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology and Mater Research.  

TRI houses more than 1000 leading researchers, support staff and students and has a community of biotech and med-tech start-up companies as well as industry bodies located on its campus. The Institute has two clinical trial facilities, one based at the PA Hospital and the other at the Centre for Children’s Health Research next to the Children’s Hospital.

TRI will be a global leader in effective translation of research and innovation into improved healthcare and increased income and jobs for Australia. The TRI vision is achieved through a values-driven corporate culture focused on collaboration to achieve excellence. Our values are:

The primary purpose of the Flow Cytometry Officer is to deliver outstanding customer service by providing specialist research advice and technical support for TRI research activities.

To be successful in the role, you will understand and be able to support facility operations, deliver excellent customer service, train and support users, and comply with legislation, regulations, policies and procedures and SOPS. You will need to be highly organised, have attention to detail, and be motivated to learn new skills in a biomedical/preclinical and clinical research setting.

Primary accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

Facility Management / Operations

• Provide full-service and self-service for flow cytometric sample acquisition, operating droplet-based cell sorters, magnetic-based cell separating instruments, standard and spectral flow cytometric and image-based flow cytometric instrumentation
• Maintain facility instrumentation by performing cleaning, QC, general maintenance, and resolution of instrument issues as per SOPs
• General laboratory operations, including disposal of instrument waste and maintaining consumable levels as per SOPs
• Work closely with facility staff to provide timely, high-quality flow-cytometric and sorting services, and proactively resolving issues as required

Training and SOPs

• Co-ordinate, book and deliver hands-on instrument training as well as provide support and advice to users for booking equipment, operating equipment, data analysis processes, preparation of samples for analysis and sorting, execution of standard techniques, and development of specialised techniques.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of documentation including SOPS, protocols, reports, and training manuals. Maintenance of accurate records pertaining to maintenance, QC, training, booking and usage of instruments. 

Communication and Customer Service

• Liaise with company representatives, instrument engineers and users
• Provide a high standard of customer service

Work Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with all requirements of Queensland Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations
• Compliance with OGTR, animal ethics, human ethics and TRI policies and procedures
• Ensure any unsafe conditions, accidents or incidents are reported
• Maintain a risk register and SOP register for the facility's equipment training and procedures
• Assist with audits (including assets, waste disposal, WHS, DAg Biosecurity, OGTR, chemicals) as required

Other

• Be available to work after hours, including weekends, from time to time as required

This position reports to the Senior Flow Cytometry Scientist.

Experience

The Flow Cytometry Officer will have experience in the following:

• Flow cytometric analysis, including the acquisition of data on instruments using software such as FACSDiVa, CytExpert, SpectroFlo and/or Summit
• Operating droplet-based cell sorters (e.g. FACSAria, MoFlo, Influx)
• Experimental design and troubleshooting of flow cytometric assays
• Use of flow cytometric analysis using software including FlowJo, SpectroFlo and/or IDEAs
• Working in a core facility environment focused on service delivery, user training and interaction with a variety of users
• Delivery of hands-on user training modules for complex instrumentation
• Design, workup and troubleshooting of panels for flow cytometric application, including a strong working knowledge of fluorophore technologies

Desirable Experience

• Cleaning, maintenance, QC and troubleshooting of flow cytometric instrumentation including droplet-based cell sorters (FACSArias, MoFlo), conventional- and spectral-flow cytometers (Fortessa, Symphony, Cytoflex, Aurora), imaging flow cytometers (ImageStream), haematology analysers (Mindray, ActDiff) and automatic magnetic-based cell separation units (e.g. AutoMACS Pro Separator)
• Design, workup and troubleshooting of high-dimensional panels for flow cytometric application, including an extensive knowledge of fluorophore technologies
• Analysis of complex flow cytometric data by unsupervised means including clustering and dimensionality reduction (e.g. tSNE, FlowSOM, UMAP etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Broad scientific and technical working knowledge in flow cytometry, including a strong understanding of the principles underpinning the technique
• Demonstrate a methodical workflow and the ability to follow instructions and complete tasks to deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including an ability to convey complex information to students and new users 
• Demonstrated high level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to show initiative and proactively address issues
• Methodical approach to problem solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Ability to acquire and apply new skills and knowledge 
• Ability to liaise and collaborate effectively with research staff and students
• Knowledge of relevant WHS, ethical and legislative requirements 
• Proven track record developing SOPs for procedural and equipment aspects of the lab
• High level of personal motivation and initiative, with a keen interest in facilitating the uptake of emerging flow cytometric technologies and analysis
• Excellent communication and user engagement skills along with the ability to show patience and tact when dealing with difficult users, overcoming challenges to provide a positive user experience

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) with subsequent relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

A research higher degree (MSc/PhD) having strong strong utilisation of flow cytometry within it as to address biological questions would be desirable

Application Process

FLOW CYTOMETRY OFFICER (Full time, maximum term for up to 13 months - Parental Leave Cover) - Reference 1471

All applicants are required to provide a cover letter addressing the selection criteria with a current resume quoting the relevant job reference.

Applications are to be emailed to careers@tri.edu.au by Monday 8 August 2022.

TRI is covered by the Workers in healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction No.2, and as a result, you have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to work at TRI.