Organisation: Griffith University
Job Title: Scientific Officer (Biosciences)
Location: Nathan Campus
Completion of a relevant degree in biological, biomolecular or biomedical sciences as well as relevant practical experience or a combination of equivalent qualifications, relevant training, knowledge and experience
Holding a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Comenius University in Slovakia, I also possess ten years of scientific training and laboratory experience in medical diagnostic laboratories, internationally recognised biological and medical research institutes and the pharmaceutical industry. This broad experience has allowed me to develop knowledge and skills in many aspects of biological, bimolecular and biomedical sciences. Most recently I have been employed as a Biomedical Scientist at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in New Zealand, where I was conducting research into molecular and cellular origins of strawberry birthmarks and other birth defects, pursuing applications for development of novel treatments.
Working in the Department of Microbiology at La Trobe University I held a position as a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Officer undertaking comprehensive analysis of West Nile Virus-specific T cell responses in humans. Other previous employment experience includes a two year position in Botswana working as Laboratory Technician in the microbiology and infectious disease field, performing diagnostic testing and clinical monitoring of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other related diseases.
As a Research Scientist within the School of Pathology at Oxford University, I undertook research in to the biology of cancer cells, investigating the basic molecular mechanisms controlling cell cycle and cell proliferation and addressing potential involvement of post-transcriptional regulation in control of cell cycle progression. Prior to this role I was a Research and Development Scientist within the Department of Microbiology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In this role I undertook research and clinical work focusing on host-pathogen interactions, with a particular focus on the effect of viral interference on innate immune responses. In this role I acquired valuable knowledge in live vaccine development, having participated in the design and testing of novel vaccine strategies. This work was carried out within a biopharmaceutical facility focused on manufacturing of biological products and viral vaccines.
As this summary demonstrates, my experience spans scientific training and laboratory experience in medical diagnostic laboratories, internationally recognised biological and medical research institutes and the pharmaceutical industry, with qualifications and research experience in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology. I also bring experience in teaching and supporting student learning, supervising graduate and postgraduate students during laboratory exercises and research.
Significant experience in providing high quality scientific support in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and/ or biomedical science
My broad experience in providing high quality scientific support in university contexts extends to management of students and laboratory technicians and working in an environment of collaboration with the laboratory supervisor and other research and academic staff. In a laboratory research environment, I have demonstrated competency in supporting the experimental work of others through both collaboration and assistance, as well as designing and conducting my own experimental research.
Possessing developed scientific teaching skills which I have demonstrated through training responsibilities, I have provided a high standard of scientific support to students at La Trobe University as a NHMRC Research Officer in the Department of Microbiology. My duties included undergraduate teaching and post-graduate supervision and research activities. While participating in the first-year microbiology training program at La Trobe, I conducted classroom and teaching activities, demonstrations of equipment and techniques and provided technical guidance and support for ongoing coursework projects. My role included setting up, pre-running and dismantling experiments in teaching laboratories, including checking and calibrating equipment prior to laboratory sessions.
As a trained educator, I also had an opportunity to assist in a number of workshops for schools, taking science into the public domain and interacting with students, teachers and non-scientific personnel. I have shown the ability to present technical observations, communicate specialist knowledge and provide expert customer service with a proven commitment to accountability, responsibility and scientific quality of research.
During my tenure as a Biomedical Scientist at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in New Zealand, I conducted experiments and provided high quality support to support senior researchers on a number of projects. These projects were making contributions to ground-breaking research that underpinned a new treatment for strawberry birthmarks. The research I conducted and supported delved in to the molecular and cellular origins of strawberry birthmarks and other birth defects, with results demonstrating exciting applications for development of novel treatments.
In my role at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute I was responsible for supervising and training medical students undertaking placement activities. By way of supporting these students, I provided them with direction, discussed experimental research results with them and assisted them with understanding of the scientific literature in the studied field.
Demonstrated excellent understanding of the function and use of biological and biomolecular instrumentation and equipment and application of scientific methods to experimental design and procedures, along with the ability to use precise and accurate biological laboratory techniques
With an extensive work history in scientific research and teaching in laboratory environments, I use scientific instrumentation on a daily basis and am extremely technically adept. My work at La Trobe University for example included the care, calibration, set up and use of laboratory equipment for student use, as well as demonstrating the proper use of this equipment to students.
Each of my past roles has seen me gain particular skills with instrumentation and equipment. Working as a laboratory technician at Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories for example, I was engaged in diagnostic testing and clinical monitoring of HIV infection and other related diseases. We were monitoring patients’ levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes by multi-parameter flow cytometry to determine a stage of disease and the course of treatment. During my postgraduate training, I have also used flow cytometry imunophenotypic analysis and fluorescent cell sorting while participating in ongoing research studies at Dunn School of Pathology and La Trobe University.
The main scientific objective of the project I was involved in while working in the Department of Microbiology at La Trobe University consisted in the analysis of West Nile Virus-specific T cell responses in humans. Since T cells possibly play a role in viral clearance and in protection from disease we were studying their activation and differential regulation of their phenotype marker development. Through my training and scientific work, I acquired confidence with technical equipment and instrumentation and scientific software packages for analysing flow cytometry data such as FowJo and CellQuest.
Having undertaken research in to a range of different subjects in the fields of biological, bimolecular and biomedical sciences, I am well-practiced in the application of scientific methods to experimental design and procedures. My research into vaccine development at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine for example consisted in the analysis of viral genes and gene products that interfere with host cell antiviral responses and contribute to virulence and pathogenesis of disease.
This research required thorough understanding and application of scientific methods in the design and testing of novel vaccine strategies through laboratory experiments. Undertaking this research, which was carried out within Medimmune Inc, a biopharmaceutical facility focused on manufacturing of biological products and viral vaccines, required the ability to use precise and accurate biological laboratory techniques. My research findings from numerous previous roles have been published in various high-quality peer-reviewed scientific journals, demonstrating my ability to design and conduct experiments with application of acceptable standards off academic rigour.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and independently and to set work priorities in order to meet deadlines
Throughout my career I have worked effectively with people from a wide variety of disciplines, to achieve outcomes in scientific research and in teaching. In my role at La Trobe University for example, I worked collaboratively and cooperatively with academics, students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and with laboratory technicians to achieve outcomes in my own research and to assist others in their learning and research activities.
As the holder of a senior positon, my work at La Trobe required me to independently determine my own research priorities and conduct experimental research. This included pursuing independent research of literature, design of research projects, experimental design, conduct of experiments, recording of results and publication of articles for peer reviewed scientific journals reporting on my findings and their significance. This process was conducted autonomously, with reference to a supervisor only to keep him informed of my activities.
As a Research Scientist in the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology at Oxford University I worked collaboratively with scientific colleagues undertaking research into cancer cell biology, investigating basic molecular mechanisms controlling cell cycle and cell proliferation and addressing potential involvement of post-transcriptional regulation in control of cell cycle progression. The team working on this research brought a range of different backgrounds and skillsets, allowing us each to contribute our personal strengths and particular areas of knowledge for the benefit of the multi-disciplinary team. As an educator, I also had the opportunity in this role to be involved in a number of workshops for schools, taking science into the public domain and interacting with students, teachers and general public audiences. The role also involved the management of students and laboratory technicians and collaboration with the laboratory supervisor and other research and academic staff.
Having previously worked in a medical laboratory, I am particularly familiar with deadline-driven work of a time-sensitive nature. This role required the performance of laboratory procedures according to established and approved protocols to test medical samples, particularly blood samples. Samples would be received by the laboratory with different priorities attached. In some cases the testing would be urgent, with doctors expecting results within a few hours. Other samples would be less urgent, but would need to be tested before the end of the shift. In this environment I was required to work quickly and efficiently and respond to emerging priorities, while adhering to deadlines for the return of testing results.
Current knowledge of good workplace health and safety practice in a biological working environment and demonstrated ability to interpret and apply relevant policy and legislation pertaining to biological and chemical safety and provide safety advice
Having worked in microbiology laboratory environments where potentially infectious material is stored and handled, I am conversant with the requirements of working within a Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) environment under the Gene Technology Act 2000. I have undertaken formal workplace training for working in a PC2 laboratory, in accordance with Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guidelines. As a teacher of undergraduate and postgraduate students, I was responsible for training of laboratory personnel and students in use of equipment and work practices used in the PC2 laboratory. The requirements for PC2 containment emphasise the procedures to be observed by the laboratory work to ensure a basic level of laboratory safety, and it has been my role to supervise others to ensure that these procedures were being followed.
Working in an environment where chemicals are frequently used, I am well-versed in the use of Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) to specify the correct handling and storage of chemicals. I have also been responsible for demonstrating the appropriate use of substances to students and ensuring that they are conversant with the MSDS information regarding the product, as well as observing their work to ensure that safety requirements are being adhered to in the handling, use and storage of potentially hazardous substances. Part of my role in demonstrating laboratory techniques and procedures to students has also included educating them on the proper use of personal protective equipment.
Before conducting my own research activities or when setting up equipment for use by students, I undertake safety checks to ensure that the equipment is operating in compliance with manufacturer directions and does not represent any risk to health or safety. I have also undertaken training in the appropriate disposal of chemicals, biological material, instruments and potentially infectious materials. I am capable of reading, interpreting and applying manufacturer instructions in the proper use of equipment and materials. In am additionally able to interpret and apply guidelines around handling of microorganisms and infectious material, and about the use of potentially hazardous materials. Further to this, I am able to explain guidelines to others and monitor their laboratory activities to ensure compliance.
Demonstrated high level communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills; ability to work under general direction and exercise initiative in undertaking responsibilities
Capable of communicating complex scientific material in a clear and concise manner, as a Research Scientist in the School of Pathology at Oxford University I had the opportunity to be involved in a number of workshops for schools, taking science into the public domain and interacting with students, teachers and general public audiences. I am also experienced in delivery of oral and written reports and presentations to scientific audiences or purposes such as departmental meetings and conferences. My successful delivery of these varied presentations demonstrates my ability to adapt my style of communication and the content of my messages to suit my audience.
Having worked in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Botswana and New Zealand, I am accustomed to fitting in to new environments and cultures and have gained highly developed interpersonal skills through interaction with such a diverse range of people. My overseas work and study experience enables me to relate particularly well to international students and provide them with effective assistance in the laboratory environment.
Able to engage in persuasive negotiation, I successfully negotiated the collaboration between laboratory and private company during my time at Mount Sinai School of Medicine which led to design of potential new vaccines. Holding an understanding of the priorities of my employer and what we wanted to achieve out of the partnership, I was able to negotiate the mutually beneficial design and testing of novel vaccine strategies within Medimmune Inc, a biopharmaceutical facility focused on manufacturing of biological products and viral vaccines.
In undertaking my research I am able to act under broad or general direction, taking initiative and engaging in self-guided activities to produce relevant research. My past roles have required me to undertake independent research of the literature to sufficiently understand the topic to be able to formulate research hypotheses. Having discussed my planned activities with my supervisor I am then able to design and conduct my own research activities in the laboratory. In my role as a Research Scientist at Oxford University for example, I independently pursued research projects specific to my field of knowledge, the findings of which I was then able to contribute to the wider group research investigating the biology of cancer cells.
Experience in providing scientific and technical support to bioscience teaching laboratories in the tertiary education sector
Possessing extensive experience in laboratory environments within universities, I have held several roles requiring me to provide scientific and technical support to students. Working in the Department of Microbiology at La Trobe University I held a position as a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Officer. During this employment one of the activities I conducted was the teaching of second year microbiology classes, demonstrating experimental techniques and proper use of equipment. I would plan the experimental protocol, check and set up all materials and equipment, demonstrate the technique to students, then assist and observe as students attempted to replicate the experiment.
My role extended to discussing the experiment with the students and explaining its relevance and application, and assisting them with interpreting their results and writing their lab summary. I also trained students on the health and safety aspects of the work, covering such topics as use of protective equipment, handling of materials and disposal of waste. Similarly, my positions as a Research Scientist in the School of Pathology at Oxford University saw me providing laboratory teaching and guidance to students.
