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The following 6 job opportunities are available

The Research Assistant will work in clinical immunisation research related to children and adolescents. This person will be responsible for co-ordination at one site (Monash Medical Centre), for a number of multi-centre studies including:

• GBS Active
• Targeted active surveillance for Guillain-Barré Syndrome following the introduction of H1N1 vaccine
• POS: Pneumococcal Oncology Study
• A trial of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine in children and adolescents with cancer
• PAPI: Prevention of Asplenic Pneumococcal Infection
• A trial of pneumococcal vaccination in children and adults with asplenia

The Research Assistant will be a member of a dynamic cohesive team, and will be principally responsible to the Director of the Immunisation Safety and Vaccinology Research Group.

The position will be based at Monash Medical centre and is for an initial term of 12 months with the possibility of renewal. The duties of this position are carried out keeping in mind the requirements of the MCRI, RCH and Monash Medical Centre.

Applications close Wednesday 31 March, 2010.

Please send written applications addressing the Key Selection Criteria, Academic Transcripts, Cover Letter and CV containing details of 3 referees, quoting the abovementioned reference number to Human Resources via

The Vaccination and Immunisation Research Group (VIRGo) is a part of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and is affiliated with both the Royal Children’s Hospital and the School of Population Health at the University of Melbourne. Our group is located at The School of Population Health on the main University of Melbourne campus. We have been conducting clinical vaccine trials in Melbourne since the early 1990s. Staff involved in the vaccine trials are health professionals from a range of disciplines, including medical doctors, nurses, and scientists. Together with the Study Nurse Co-ordinator, the Assistant Study Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Principal Investigator and the Senior Research Fellow to ensure the smooth and appropriate conduct of the vaccine research trials performed by the study team, management of the study team and general organistation of the research projects in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

Please direct queries to Marita Kefford, Study Coordinator, 8344 9137

Please send written applications addressing the Key Selection Criteria, Academic Transcripts, Cover Letter and CV containing details of 3 referees, quoting the abovementioned reference number to Human Resources via

An exciting opportunity exists for a dynamic, motivated individual to apply for a 0.5 EFT Clinical Research Coordinator Role in Paediatric Intensive Care.

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Royal Children’s Hospital is a world-renowned intensive care unit providing care and treatment for approximately 1300 patients each year making it the largest PICU in Australia.  The PIC Unit is also a research group of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS), Paediatric Study Group (PSG) which was formed by a group of Paediatric Intensivists and Intensive Care Nurses to design and conduct multi-centre research in Australian and New Zealand PICUs. The PSG Meet twice a year, at the Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Clinical Trials Group (CTG) meeting at Noosa each year, and the ANZICS Annual scientific Meeting to facilitate the development of research. The unit is actively involved in multi-centred research projects through the PSG and international drug company sponsored trials. PICU hold monthly research meetings to facilitate and develop the research programme within the unit.

The Research Coordinator would be responsible for the coordination of clinical trials within PICU. The research coordinator should also support and participate in the development and implementation of both clinical audits and research. The applicant will work in collaboration with the PICU Research and data team with the PICU Data, Quality and Audit Team Leader. The research programme includes flexible working hours and on call rotation to screen for participants for the trials. Must demonstrate a knowledge of Good Clinical practice (GCP) being the standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analyses and reporting of clinical trials that provides assurance that the data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial subjects are protected. This job would suit an experienced research assistant / research nurse / research student or a critical care nurse with the following attributes:

• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to co-ordinate, motivate and facilitate
• Demonstrated problem solving and planning skills
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Have an interest in a specific field, potential research topic

Please direct enquiries to Carmel Delzoppo on 9345 4766.

Please send written applications addressing the Key Selection Criteria, Academic Transcripts, Cover Letter and CV containing details of 3 referees, quoting the abovementioned reference number to Human Resources via

Applications close 31 March 2010.

The Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (AMDF) is offering a PhD scholarship in the Mitochondrial Research Group at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. AMDF aims to promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of mitochondrial disorders, and to provide support to affected individuals and families (http://www.amdf.org.au).

Students must be commencing their PhD in 2010 and be enrolled full-time. Students must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or have Permanent Resident Status and not be under bond to any foreign government. Evidence of the student’s resident status will be required.

The stipend is $27,000 per annum for science graduates and $32,000 per annum for medical graduates. An additional allowance of up to $3,000 per annum is available for travel and attendance at a relevant scientific or medical conference. The Scholarship will be awarded for 1 year in the first instance but can be extended up to a maximum period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance reviews and availability of funding. The scholar should be available to meet periodically with the AMDF Board and to participate in fund-raising and educational events as requested by the AMDF Board.

Project Details: Neuropathogenic mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction

Supervisors: Associate Professor David Thorburn and Dr Ann Frazier

Mitochondrial dysfunction causes a range of early-onset neurological conditions and contributes to neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson Disease. The mechanisms of neuronal damage are unknown, and the study of these at a cellular level may lead to improved treatment and greater understanding of the role of both nuclear- and mitochondrial-DNA mutations in both rare and common conditions. This project will focus on complex I deficiency, the most common mitochondrial respiratory chain defect. Using multiple primary and established cell culture models, it will study the effects of mutations on mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, ATP production, apoptosis and cellular calcium dynamics, primarily using techniques in fluorescent microscopy and cell biology, as well as biochemistry and molecular biology. We already have data on most of these parameters for patient fibroblast cell lines with characterised mutations in complex I subunits and assembly factors. This project will focus on cell culture models that more closely reflect neuronal function to study possible mechanisms of neuronal damage. In particular, this includes primary neural cell cultures established from two mouse models with complex I deficiency resulting from mutations in two different nuclear encoded complex I subunits. We also have access to olfactory stem cell cultures derived from patients with mtDNA mutations, in collaboration with Prof. Carolyn Sue.

How to Apply

For further details contact Assoc. Prof. David Thorburn (david.thorburn@mcri.edu.au). Applicants should provide a certified academic transcript and curriculum vitae, including a summary/abstract of previous research experience, details of any publications plus names and current contact details for three academic referees.

There is no position description for the advert.

Application deadline: March 26, 2010

Human Resources Contact Details

Please send job applications to:

Human Resources
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
9th floor, Royal Childrens Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
T   (03) 8341 6434 or 6378

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