Senior Medical Scientist Grade 3: Molecular Screening Program

Organisational Context

NRL is an operating division of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) whose mission is to produce world class science: inspired by discovery, driven by purpose. Contracted by the Department of Health and licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), NRL collaborates with scientific partners worldwide in the promotion of accurate diagnosis and management of human communicable diseases, including but not limited to HIV, HCV and HTLV. It does this by providing specialised services, including pre- and post-market evaluations of test kits, provision of quality assurance programmes to laboratories, specialised testing services, and consultation, education, and training for laboratories nationally and internationally. NRL holds the unique position of being the only organisation world-wide that delivers this full suite of services with significant future opportunities to significantly grow NRL’s market and services globally. NRL’s main site is located at the St Vincent’s Hospital campus in Fitzroy.

The role

The primary purpose of this position is to contribute to the implementation of NRL’s new Molecular Screening Program and ultimately be responsible for its overall operation and ongoing management. The on-site role will be positioned at NRL’s new site located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, with oversight of high throughput molecular testing of approximately 30,000 samples per week within a GMP licensed laboratory.

The incumbent will have relevant experience in a diagnostic setting with fully automated instrumentation and be able to contribute to the implementation of systematic traceability across sample logistics/receipt, pre-analytical processing, testing, results reporting and sample disposal within a highly regulated environment. The successful candidate will have expertise to oversee the required verification of pre-analytical and testing instrumentation and test kit, and successfully transition the Program to a business-as-usual (BAU) service. Once established, the Medical Scientist – Grade 3 will provide ongoing leadership and manage all staff and activities associated with the BAU testing service to ensure that turn-around times are met and customer satisfaction ensured. The incumbent will be responsible for the troubleshooting of scientific and technical issues related to the Program with solution-based approaches, enable provision of timely updates/advice to stakeholders and have overall responsibility for the outputs and growth of this division.

The Senior Scientist appointed at this level will have gained experience in the infectious diseases testing sector capable of sound time management and excellent communication and writing skills. The role will drive the recruitment, supervision and training of scientific staff, as well as the provision of professional expert advice outside the laboratory on appropriate scientific matters.

For full details of the job responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

Who we are seeking

Our ideal candidate will have the following experience:

Essential 

  • Tertiary qualifications in a medical science (Bachelor, Honours, Masters or PhD)
  • Extensive experience in working and managing staff in a high-throughput diagnostic setting
  • Sound understanding of infectious diseases molecular testing
  • Adept at analytical problem solving and troubleshooting in a fast-paced environment
  • Extensive experience in laboratory quality control procedures and practices
  • Proven history of representation at scientific fora
  • Well-developed skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel and other IT literacy

Desirable

  • Experience in implementing a laboratory-based diagnostic service
  • Sound understanding of GMP standard requirements and adherence

Personal Attributes

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to think independently and to provide proactive responses to unexpected results
  • Excellent organisational skills, able to multitask and prioritise work during busy periods
  • Commitment to operating in a working environment that is quality driven and focused
  • Ability to train, mentor and guide staff
  • Ability to follow documented procedures
  • Ability to troubleshoot unfamiliar scenarios and apply critical thinking and common sense
  • Confidence in working autonomously and apply sound decision making, but able to exercise appropriate judgement and seek advice and support as appropriate

To be considered you shall be required to provide evidence you have permanent working rights in Australia or hold a relevant working visa to work full-time hours.

Salary Range:   Medical Scientist Grade 3, $106,235 – $120,364 per annum, plus 11% superannuation. In addition, we offer up to $15,900 FBT exempt salary packaging and up to $2,650 FBT exempt meals and entertainment packaging. Salary applied will be dependent on successful candidates’ current level, experience and qualifications.

Position Description: Please click on the ‘Apply’ button to view the full position description and selection criteria.

To apply:  Please click on the ‘Apply’ button, then proceed to the form at the end of the page to commence your application. Please also ensure you include the following attachments:

– Current CV; and

– Cover letter addressing the selection criteria as outlined in the position description

Applications Close: COB Monday 15 April 2024, however please note, applications will be considered as they are submitted and the position may be filled ahead of the closing date.

Further information: Shannon Curley, Project and Change Manager: [email protected]

Applications Close: 15th Apr 2024

Medical Scientist Grade 2: Molecular Screening Program

Organisational Context

NRL is an operating division of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) whose mission is to produce world class science: inspired by discovery, driven by purpose. Contracted by the Department of Health and licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), NRL collaborates with scientific partners worldwide in the promotion of accurate diagnosis and management of human communicable diseases, including but not limited to HIV, HCV and HTLV. It does this by providing specialised services, including pre- and post-market evaluations of test kits, provision of quality assurance programmes to laboratories, specialised testing services, and consultation, education, and training for laboratories nationally and internationally. NRL holds the unique position of being the only organisation world-wide that delivers this full suite of services with significant future opportunities to significantly grow NRL’s market and services globally. NRL’s main site is located at the St Vincent’s Hospital campus in Fitzroy.

The role

NRL is establishing a new service stream for molecular testing at a new site located in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne which will involve approximately 30,000 samples per week being receipted, processed and tested in a highly regulated environment with capacity to expand the program in the future.

The primary purpose of this position is to contribute to the implementation of NRL’s new Molecular Screening Program and further, be the on-site technical lead for the Program, once operational. The incumbent will be able to confidently apply specialist technical and scientific knowledge, and competence in the provision of high-quality test results to NRL’s stakeholders.

The successful incumbent will be expected to work without direct supervision and make independent analytical decisions regarding the quality outputs of the Molecular Screening Program. The role will involve the supervision and training of technical staff, provision of professional advice outside the laboratory on appropriate scientific/technical matters and act as a deputy to the Senior Medical Scientist (Grade 3).

This role requires the appointed scientist to oversee incoming samples, receipt of consumables and reagent deliveries, and technically participate in and supervise daily testing operations (under the supervision of the Senior Scientist).

For full details of the job responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

Who we are seeking

Our ideal candidate will have:

Essential experience

  • Tertiary qualifications in medical science – Bachelor, Honours, Masters or PhD
  • Previous experience working in a fast-paced infectious diseases molecular diagnostic laboratory
  • Expertise in operating and troubleshooting high throughput testing platforms
  • High level of skill and expertise in the pragmatic troubleshooting of technical issues in sample handling and testing processes
  • Considerable experience in laboratory quality control procedures and practices

Personal Attributes

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to think independently and to provide proactive responses to unexpected results
  • Excellent organisational skills, able to multitask and prioritise work during busy periods
  • Commitment to operating in a working environment that is quality driven and focused
  • Ability to train and guide staff
  • Ability to follow documented procedures

To be considered you shall be required to provide evidence you have permanent working rights in Australia or hold a relevant working visa to work full-time hours.

Salary Range:  Medical Scientist Grade 2, $92,235 – $103,857 per annum, plus 11% superannuation. In addition, we offer up to $15,900 FBT exempt salary packaging and up to $2,650 FBT exempt meals and entertainment packaging. Salary applied will be dependent on successful candidates’ current level, experience and qualifications.

Position Description: Please click on the apply button to view the full position description and selection criteria.

To apply:  Please click on the ‘Apply’ button and proceed to the form at the bottom of the page to commence your application. Please also ensure you include the following attachments:

– Current CV; and

– Cover letter addressing the selection criteria as outlined in the position description

Applications Close: COB Monday 15 April 2024, however, please note, applications will be considered as they are submitted and the position may be filled ahead of the closing date

Further information: Shannon Curley, Project and Change Manager: [email protected]

Applications Close: 15th Apr 2024

Page last updated: 12 October 2023