Research Assistant - Histology and Tissue Processing

To apply for the Research Assistant role at the Dementia Research Centre, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor's (Hons) degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Additionally, experience in histology sectioning and immunohistochemistry will significantly enhance your application, along with familiarity with image acquisition and analysis techniques.

As a Research Assistant at the Dementia Research Centre, your responsibilities will include applying best practices in PC2 laboratories, conducting histology and protein biochemistry experiments, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. You'll also need to effectively communicate findings and manage your time across multiple research projects under the guidance of senior researchers.

Essential skills for the Research Assistant position at the Dementia Research Centre include proficiency in a variety of laboratory techniques, excellent organizational capabilities, strong time management, and computational skills such as MS Office and research software like Prism. The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team is also crucial.

For specific inquiries about the Research Assistant position at Macquarie University's Dementia Research Centre, you can reach out directly to Professor Lars Ittner at lars.ittner@mq.edu.au. For general questions related to the application process, feel free to contact Amie Law, the DRC Centre Manager, via amie.law@mq.edu.au.

The Research Assistant role at the Dementia Research Centre is a full-time fixed-term appointment for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding availability. This position is a fantastic opportunity to dive deep into research with a potentially long-lasting impact in the field of neuroscience.

In preparing for your interview, highlight specific histology methods you've used, such as sectioning and immunohistochemistry. Providing examples of how you implemented these techniques in previous roles, along with any results achieved, can showcase your practical expertise.

It’s essential to demonstrate your organizational skills when answering this question. Talk about your strategies for time management, tools you utilize like calendars or task lists, and how you prioritize tasks in high-pressure environments to meet deadlines effectively.

Discuss specific protein biochemistry methods such as Western blotting or immunoprecipitation. Explain how you’ve applied these techniques in past work, outlining the objectives achieved, to provide a clear picture of your skills and successes.

Highlight that effective communication fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members. Discuss how you ensure clarity in your data presentation, share findings to enrich team discussions, and listen actively to integrate diverse perspectives.

Describe your methods for staying organized, such as using digital tools for project management, keeping detailed notes, and maintaining an updated lab notebook. Provide an example where your organization significantly contributed to project efficiency or success.

Share personal motivations that resonate with the mission of the Dementia Research Centre, such as a desire to improve quality of life for patients. Connecting your background in molecular biology or personal connections to the field can also resonate with your interviewers.

Discuss specific instances where you encountered challenges in your experiments, how you approached troubleshooting, and what the outcomes were. This showcases your problem-solving skills and persistence in research.

Express openness to feedback as essential for growth. Provide examples where you've implemented constructive criticism from supervisors or peers and how it improved your work processes or outcomes.

Mention specific data analysis techniques and software you are familiar with, such as statistical methods or software like Prism. Articulate your approach to analyzing data, interpreting results, and making evidence-based conclusions.

Articulate that teamwork fosters innovation and efficiency by bringing together diverse skill sets and perspectives. Provide an example of a successful team project where collaboration was pivotal to achieving research outcomes.