Project Lead, RNA and Computational Biology Innovation Initiatives

Classification: ANU Officer 8 (Administration)
Salary package: $118,399 - $126,607 per annum plus 17% superannuation

Term: Part time (0.8FTE), Continuing (Contingent Funded) (until December 2029) 

The Position

The ANU College of Science and Medicine is seeking a Project Lead, RNA and Computational Biology Innovation Initiatives to lead the coordination and delivery of key RNA and computational biology research programs. The role supports a range of high-impact initiatives at the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, the Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences, and the ARC Centre for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). The Project Lead will work closely with academic leaders, research teams, and external partners to support project planning, manage grant submissions and reporting, lead outreach activities such as workshops and conferences, and help build national and international collaborations. The role also provides strategic advice and plays a key part in ensuring these growing programs continue to deliver on their goals.

The Person

We are looking for someone who brings strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to work across complex research environments. Experience in biomedical research, computational biology, or RNA-related programs will be highly regarded, as will a background in strategic planning, grant management, and stakeholder engagement. The right person will be proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working across multiple projects with competing deadlines. This role would suit someone who enjoys working closely with researchers and research managers to support innovative science and help shape programs that have real-world impact.

The School

The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) is a multi-disciplinary institute with strong research organised into three divisions, Genome Sciences and Cancer, Immunology, and Neuroscience. Advanced computational biology and RNA biology are strengths of the JCSMR that have been consolidated into the Centre for Computational Biomedical Sciences (CCBS) and the Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation (SDCRI), respectively.

The CCBS leads research by developing innovative computational tools, and scalable and secured data infrastructures, empowering ANU and JCSMR roles in national and global research initiatives and collaborations with academia, government and industry. The ARC Centre for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS) brings together mathematical, computational and biological scientists to develop innovative computational methods that make biology predictive. The ANU node of MACSYS plays an integral role in coordinating research, training, and outreach activities that further contribute to the College's operational and strategic goals.

The SDCRI was established within JCSMR in 2022 with a focus on advancing the understanding and application of RNA-based technologies and integrating world-leading RNA biology research with advanced enabling infrastructure, with the goal to meet future biomedical challenges in partnership with industry, government, and academia. The National Therapeutic mRNA Platform (NTRP) is a flagship project of the SDCRI and is being established at JCSMR to significantly enhance the quality and global impact of Australia’s mRNA therapeutics pipeline, providing a sovereign capability to drive growth, productivity, and competitiveness in the emerging international academic and commercial mRNA technology sector. The NTRP leverages JCSMR’s existing NCRIS-funded infrastructure, The ANU Centre for Therapeutic Discovery (ACTD) and the Biomolecular Resource Facility (BRF), and will be enabled by the interdisciplinary cooperation and expertise of mRNA experts, computational biologists, and biomedical researchers.

The College

The ANU College of Science and Medicine encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres.  Staff and students within the ANU College of Science and Medicine conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities. 

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For further information please contact, Professor Thomas Preiss, E: Thomas.Preiss@anu.edu.au  

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.  For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here. For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact the hiring manager on the above listed details.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process.  An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.