Job Title Research Assistant Job Description An excellent opportunity is available for a Research Assistant in Protein Production and Characterisation to join the Australian Centre for Targeted Therapeutics (ACTT) at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute in Bundoora. About the position ACTT’s vision is to transform the lives of cancer patients through a new class of medicines that unlock previously ‘undruggable’ targets. Led by WEHI, the ACTT will drive a drug development pipeline in collaboration with project partners, Monash University and the Children’s Cancer Institute, with the aim to operate ACTT through a biotech spinout company, Ternarx. ACTT is enabled by a $15 million Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Frontier Health and Medical Research Grant to pursue its research and development efforts. Located at WEHI’s Bundoora Biotech Centre, ACTT will focus on the development of new targeted protein degrader (TPD) drugs against validated cancer-driving proteins as well as a TPD platform technology, with an initial focus on cancers with high-mortality rates. The role will be responsible for supporting ACTT’s structural biology and biochemistry (SBB) team and for general lab maintenance tasks. The main task will be recombinant protein expression and purification for high-throughput screening, biophysical and structural studies, as well as supporting senior team members with these assays. The role forms part of ACTT’s multidisciplinary team, contributing protein production and characterization skills towards the achievement of project milestones, ultimately aiming to develop lead degrader molecules to combat cancer in the clinic. The position reports directly to the SBB Program Lead in the ACTT and works closely with other members of the SBB team (Senior Research Officers). Key Responsibilities Recombinant protein expression in E. coli Recombinant protein purification from E. coli for biophysical and structural biology applications Support biophysical assays (e.g., SPR, ITC, fluorescence polarisation) Support X-ray crystallography of small molecule/target protein complexes to inform structure-based drug discovery efforts. Contribute to present research findings to internal collaborators and key stakeholders. Selection Criteria A relevant Bachelor’s Degree (with Honours) qualification or equivalent Demonstrated experience to express recombinant proteins in bacterial cultures Demonstrated experience in purifying recombinant proteins using different techniques (affinity tags, ion-exchange chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography) on Cytiva AKTA systems Experience in construct design and sub-cloning target genes into bacterial expression vectors Demonstrated ability to plan and execute experiments to meet deadlines Attention to detail regarding up-to-date and accurate maintenance of lab book records Demonstrated ability to problem-solve within a team environment Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property principles and the requirement to maintain confidentiality in a competitive, industrial, research environment Enthusiasm for timely delivery of project milestones in a fast-paced team atmosphere The following additional skills are highly desired: Experience with biophysical assays, e.g. SPR, ITC, fluorescence polarisation Experience with protein crystallisation Prior experience working in the field of drug discovery or targeted protein degradation Terms of appointment This position is available in a full-time or part-time (0.8 FTE) capacity until 30 Mar 2027. Salary is Research Support Employee Level 5 ($82,018 - $94,209). Very attractive salary packaging options are available for general living expenses, meal entertainment, novated leasing and more. 12% superannuation payable, plus up to a further 5% after the first 6 months of service via our matching superannuation scheme. General enquiries can be directed to Bernhard Lechtenberg, lechtenberg.b@wehi.edu.au A position description is available here. How to apply Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria above in pdf format. Application closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026