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Postdoctoral Fellow (Bioinformatics & Computational Biology) - M Dawson Lab Date: 5 Apr 2025
Unit: Dawson M
Division: Cancer Research
Department: Laboratory Research
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) is a Victorian public health service and a world-leading comprehensive cancer centre seeking to excel across all spheres of clinical care, research and education. We have the largest cancer research enterprise in Australia and provide treatment to about 40,000 people with cancer each year. We aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE Postdoctoral Fellow (Bioinformatics & Computational Biology) - Mark Dawson Laboratory Applications are invited to join an exciting multi-disciplinary research program within Mark Dawson's Laboratory ( at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The research will explore the molecular mechanisms that govern clonal behaviour in normal development and in cancer biology to provide insights into cell fate decisions, normal and malignant stem cell renewal, treatment response and resistance in cancer.
The position will involve the analysis of large-scale single cell data through the application of best-practice bioinformatics workflows and the development of innovative methods as required. The position will require a highly motivated bioinformatician or computational biologist to build on innovative methods including SPLINTR (Fennell, Vassiliadis et al; Nature 2022; Holze et al Cell Reports Methods 2024; Guirguis et al Cancer Discovery 2023) – a cellular barcoding and lineage tracing technique. This position is responsible for:
The analysis of a range of single cell sequencing data types, including scRNA-seq, scChIP-seq, scATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics and other emerging single cell platforms. Proficiency in R and at least one relevant programming language (e.g. Python/Perl) and experience working on a high-performance computing cluster in a linux environment and knowledge of shell scripting. Collaborating very closely with other bioinformaticians, as well as cell and molecular biologists in the Dawson laboratory team to advance joint initiatives. The position will be in a research environment that includes a large and interactive group of bioinformaticians and computational biologists in the Bioinformatics Core Facility and in research groups within the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne. This position is:
12-months Fixed-Term, Full-Time (potential opportunity to extend) Onsite presence essential at 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Basic Salary Range: $97,770.40 to $113,262.24 AUD p.a. Advertising from Friday, 7th March to Friday, 2nd May 2025 Peter Mac offers its employees the following benefits:
Salary packaging Employee Assistance Program Central City location Training and Development program Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining their interest and experience and also provide their responses against the selection criteria (found in the Position Description under Essential and Desirable Requirements sections) to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Dane Vassiliadis and Enid Lam
Email: or
Applications Close: 2 May 2025
Position Summary This 1.0EFT position is for a bioinformatics postdoctoral fellow to drive the computational aspects of a range of exciting projects, both new and ongoing, in the Dawson laboratory. The position will involve the analysis of large-scale single cell data through the application of best-practice bioinformatics workflows and the development of innovative methods as required. The position will require a highly motivated bioinformatician or computational biologist to build on innovative methods including SPLINTR (Fennell, Vassiliadis et al; Nature 2022; Holze et al Cell Reports Methods 2024; Guirguis et al Cancer Discovery 2023) – a cellular barcoding and lineage tracing technique. The role will include the analysis of various single cell sequencing data types, including scRNA-seq, scChIP-seq, scATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics and other emerging single cell platforms. The role requires strong R programming skills as well as familiarity with additional programming languages such as Python and/or Perl. The position requires experience working on a high-performance computing cluster in a Linux environment and knowledge of shell scripting. Best practices in documentation and coding, particularly with respect to reproducible and transparent science are required. The individual will collaborate very closely with other bioinformaticians, as well as cell and molecular biologists and clinical fellows to advance joint initiatives.
The successful applicant must have the ability to conduct research both independently and as part of a team, provide competent computational and analysis skills to the laboratory and be able to communicate results with research investigators.
This role is based within the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, a joint venture of the University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre seeking to improve the lives of people with cancer through equitable access to personalised treatment options and prevention strategies informed by the latest genomic tests and analysis.
Classification or Salary Range Level A: 1RA5 - 1RA10
Immunisation Risk Category C
Key Relationships Internal
Group Leader: Professor Mark Dawson Dawson Laboratory staff and students Cancer Therapeutics Program staff and students Cluster 1 staff and students Core Research facilities staff Other research staff and students Other Peter Mac staff and students University of Melbourne: The Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine (CCGCM) staff External
External research collaborators Industry partners Staff from other research institutions Education Skills PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, Genetics or equivalent Detailed knowledge of R and/or at least one relevant programming language, such as Python or Perl Detailed knowledge of high performance computing using Linux architectures Experience in the analysis of high throughput sequencing data Solid grasp of statistical methods relevant to biological research Knowledge of best practices in conducting reproducible and transparent computational research Excellent organizational and time management skills Flexibility and ability to develop new skills Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team High quality written and oral communication skills Knowledge of cancer biology, genetics and/or genomics Experience in the analysis of single cell transcriptomic datasets Experience with mentorship and/or project management Certifications, Licenses & Registrations Key Accountabilities Key Accountabilities Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators 1. Generation of high quality, reproducible data through conduction of valid and ethical research
Accurate analysis and interpretation of data Meticulous documentation and version tracking Ability to compile data and synthesise information for manuscripts and grants Ability to follow and understand instructions Willingness to learn Ability to work with limited supervision Careful, accurate and timely record keeping High level of integrity and ethics 2. Communication of research outcomes
Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and the Research Division, Peter Mac Research and University of Melbourne Contributes to discussions, lab, cluster and program meetings Presentation of results to other members of the laboratory Prepares manuscript, grant, fellowship and ethics submissions Excellent oral and written communication skills 3. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues
Development of a good working relationship with others in the laboratory and Research Division Ability to work in a team Willingness to help others in the laboratory as required 4. Human Resource Management
Takes all reasonable steps to prevent bullying, discrimination and harassment in the workplace Participates in and/or conducts annual performance development and review on 100% of staff Complies with Peter Mac policies to maintain a safe work place Follows established procedures and guidelines ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC Peter Mac offers a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally. Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability. The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which our five sites are located throughout Victoria. We recognise their strength and resilience and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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