Join the Fiona Wood Foundation Research Team
We are seeking FOUR motivated Research Assistants (RAs) to support our clinical, preclinical, and laboratory research programs. These roles provide hands-on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while representing the Fiona Wood Foundation.
How to apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and suitability for the role - state which Research Assistant Position is your preference. Please email
Applications close: 5:00pm AWST, 28 January 2026
About the Fiona Wood Foundation
The Fiona Wood Foundation is a leading research organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for patients affected by burns, skin injuries, and scarring. In collaboration with our healthcare services and universities, we drive translational research that bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient care. Our team is committed to innovation, excellence, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients.
1. Research Assistant – Basic Science / Animal Work
The Research Assistant will support preclinical research programs focused on animal models of disease and therapeutic interventions, in both large and small animal models. This role involves assisting with surgery and recovery, collecting and processing tissue, sectioning, staining and imaging tissue sections and analysing data, and supporting the Foundation's broader research initiatives. The RA will also represent the Fiona Wood Foundation professionally in all research-related interactions.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Research Support
* Assist with care, handling, and experimental procedures in accordance with animal ethics approvals
* Maintaining long-term animal experiments, including feeding, monitoring, and record-keeping
* Perform experimental techniques under supervision, including sample collection, tissue processing, and behavioural testing
* Ensure all procedures follow institutional, national, and ethical guidelines for animal welfare
* Tissue embedding, sectioning and preparation of tissue slides
* Support the biobank with lab processing and storage of the biobank samples:
* Prepare plasma and PBMCs following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Prepare all other biological samples (urine, stool, hair, skin, swabs, other) following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Assist principal investigators, post-docs, RAs and students with their experiments when necessary
* Provide laboratory operational support, including ordering, receiving, maintaining, and monitoring laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables to ensure continuity of research activities.
* Data Analysis & Documentation
* Analyse and interpret spectral flow cytometry data
* Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental logs, and data backups
* Assist in preparing figures, reports, and presentations
Foundation & Program Support
* Represent the Fiona Wood Foundation in laboratory and research interactions
* Support broader research initiatives and Foundation activities
Collaboration & Communication
* Work with Principal Investigators, postdocs, and research staff
* Participate in lab meetings and contribute to discussions on experimental results
* Research Assistant (Flow Cytometry)
The Flow Cytometry Research Assistant will support studies involving immunophenotyping, cell sorting, and functional assays using flow cytometry. The role involves processing blood samples (extracting PBMCs and plasma for analysis), cell culture, staining samples for flow cytometry, titrating antibodies and optimising protocols, operating cytometry equipment, analysing data, and contributing to experimental design. The RA will also represent the Fiona Wood Foundation in research activities.
Key Responsibilities
Flow Cytometry & Laboratory Support
* Antibody titration and panel optimisation
* Cellular assays, including in vitro cell stimulation and co-culture experiments
* Stain cells for flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting
* Operate flow cytometers and related instruments under supervision
* Optimise experimental protocols for different cell types, including immune cells, skin cells, and cells extracted from tissues
* Digest skin and tissue samples for downstream experiments
* Assist with experimental design and troubleshooting
* Support the biobank with lab processing and storage of the biobank samples:
* Prepare plasma and PBMCs following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Prepare all other biological samples (urine, stool, hair, skin, swabs, other) following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Assist principal investigators, post-docs, RAs and students with their experiments when necessary
* Provide laboratory operational support, including ordering, receiving, maintaining, and monitoring laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables to ensure continuity of research activities.
Additional Requirements
* Compliance with institutional laboratory safety protocols
* Willingness to work flexible hours for experimental runs
* Research Assistant (Cell Culture and In Vitro Studies)
The Cell Culture Research Assistant will support in vitro studies involving primary cells, stem cells, or established cell lines. The role includes maintaining cell cultures, performing experiments, collecting data, and supporting the Foundation's research initiatives. The RA will represent the Fiona Wood Foundation professionally in research activities.
Key Responsibilities
Cell Culture & Laboratory Techniques
* Test and optimise new cellular protocols, including cell stimulation assays, co-culture experiments, histology and other staining protocols as required
* Extract cells from tissue samples for cryopreservation or culture
* Setup and maintain explant tissue cultures
* Ensure compliance with biosafety and laboratory protocols
* Support the biobank with lab processing and storage of the biobank samples:
* Prepare plasma and PBMCs following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Prepare all other biological samples (urine, stool, hair, skin, swabs, other) following standard protocols, including isolation, labelling, aliquoting, and controlled freezing at -80 °C, ensuring sample integrity.
* Assist principal investigators, post-docs, RAs and students with their experiments when necessary
* Provide laboratory operational support, including ordering, receiving, maintaining, and monitoring laboratory supplies, reagents, and consumables to ensure continuity of research activities.
* Research Assistant (Clinical Research Programs)
The Research Assistant will support clinically based research programs by assisting with participant recruitment, data collection, and day-to-day research operations within a healthcare setting. This role also involves representing the Fiona Wood Foundation in interactions with participants, clinical staff, and the wider community, and supporting the Foundation's broader research initiatives and activities.
Working closely with investigators, clinicians, and research staff, the Research Assistant will help ensure studies are conducted ethically, efficiently, and in accordance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements. This role is ideal for a motivated individual with an interest in clinical research and patient-facing work who is seeking experience in a healthcare research environment.
Key Responsibilities
Participant Recruitment & Engagement
* Identify, screen, and recruit eligible participants for clinical research studies
* Approach potential participants in clinical settings in a professional, empathetic, and ethical manner
* Explain study procedures, risks, and benefits to potential participants under investigator guidance
* Support informed consent processes in accordance with ethics approvals
* Maintain regular communication with participants throughout study involvement
* Represent the Fiona Wood Foundation professionally when interacting with participants, clinical staff, and external stakeholders
Clinical Research Support
* Assist with scheduling research visits and coordinating with clinical staff
* Collect and record research and audit data accurately using case report forms, electronic databases, study logs and other study-related documents.
* Perform basic clinical or research-related tasks as permitted (e.g., collecting biological samples from patients, collecting questionnaire data, observations, sample handling, taking measurements)
* Ensure adherence to study protocols, standard operating procedures, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines
Foundation & Program Support
* Support the Foundation's broader research initiatives, educational programs, and community engagement activities
* Assist in preparation of reports, presentations, and other materials to communicate research outcomes
Data Management & Documentation
* Enter, manage, and maintain research data with accuracy and confidentiality
* Assist with data quality checks and query resolution
* Maintain regulatory and study documentation, including participant logs and consent records
* Support preparation for audits, monitoring visits, and ethics reporting
Collaboration & Communication
* Work closely with investigators, research coordinators, clinicians, and allied health staff
* Participate in team meetings and study training sessions
* Communicate study progress, recruitment updates, and issues to the research team in a timely manner
* Able to present at meetings as required