Research Scientist

Systematic Medicine’s goal is to develop interventions that will slow the accumulation of somatic mutations as people age. If successful, this will be a paradigm shift for both cancer prevention and longevity extension. We are currently building key foundations to enable this, including: Developing highly accurate duplex‑seq assays for measuring somatic mutations (building on methods such as Conducting fundamental research into somatic mutation biology to inform our strategy Creating drug discovery models that allow us to test potential interventions Achieving this mission will require sustained scientific progress over many years. We have stable, long term funding from our parent company (Leading Technology Group) to help make this a reality. We are located in the Jumar Bioincubator in Parkville, which hosts one of the highest concentrations of early‑stage biotech companies in Australia. About the role Research scientists drive our science forward both in the lab (executing experiments) and out of the lab (designing experiments, statistical analysis and ideation). Some key differences to a typical research scientist role: No grant writing or funding pressure — your time is spent entirely on advancing the science itself, not on securing resources. Collaborative but high-ownership environment — scientists work together on complex projects, but each person has clear autonomy and accountability for their contribution. Rigorous research methodology is non-negotiable — we prioritise good experimental design and execution over speed and volume. Culture of excellence — we continually seek to improve, learn from failure, and apply the same level of scrutiny to all ideas, regardless of their source. What we’re looking for We hire based on both how people think and what they can do. The traits below matter just as much as technical background. Clear, logical thinkers who approach problems with structured reasoning and evidence, rather than intuition and guesswork. High‑agency individuals who take initiative, are confident working independently, and take responsibility for outcomes. Scientists who value evidence over dogma, and are open to reevaluating their scientific approach. Skills and experience PhD in biology with 0–5 years of postdoctoral research. Recent, hands‑on wet‑lab experience, including experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting. Comfortable using scientific programming for data analysis (not just running pre‑written scripts). Above‑average statistical knowledge for someone with a biology background. Bonus: experience in NGS library prep, bioinformatics, or related genomics research. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and be able to attend an in‑person interview. We do not offer visa sponsorship. Recruitment process Initial application Submit your CV and your written response to the experiment review exercise to ***********@systematicmedicine.com. To complete the exercise, watch this short video ( list any flaws in the experiment using bullet points, and rank them by importance. A cover letter is not required, but you may include a brief message in your email if you wish. Video interview Shortlisted candidates complete a small data analysis exercise before the interview. During the interview the candidates present the results of the exercise. In-person interview Candidates who progress to the final stage are invited to our Parkville lab for an in‑person interview. This includes: A technical discussion based on the original CODEC‑Seq paper (Bae et.al. 2023). An unstructured conversation to explore fit, fill in any remaining gaps, and answer your questions. An opportunity to meet the team and see the facilities. Applications are open 12th December 2025 to 4th January 2026. We aim to complete the recruitment process by the 6th February 2026. We prefer a March 2026 start, but can wait 2–3 months for the right candidate. FAQs Q) My background is in another field of biology (e.g., plant, microbiology, marine). Can I apply? A) Apply if you bring strong synergy in other ways — for example, deep experience in NGS, bioinformatics, or genomics. Q) Is the role permanent or fixed term? A) The role is permanent, with a standard six‑month probation period. Q) What are the work hours? A) Contracted hours are 40 per week, and no one is required to work beyond them. We care about productivity and scientific progress, not time on a clock. Many people choose to invest additional hours because they are motivated to move the science forward faster, but this is entirely voluntary. Q) Is part‑time work an option? A) Not for new employees. We are open to part‑time arrangements for long‑term staff whose life circumstances change. Q) Is the role in‑person or hybrid? A) We prefer in‑person work as it is more efficient for collaboration and communication. An occasional work‑from‑home day (up to one per week) is fine. Q) How is salary determined? A) We review salaries annually and aim to pay competitively relative to the broader market. High performance is rewarded. Q) Is superannuation in addition to the value listed for salary, or is it included in the value? A) Superannuation is paid in addition to the listed salary. We pay super at the statutory minimum rate (currently 12%). Q) Do your publications give a good overview of your work? A) Not really. Our primary focus is on advancing the science itself, rather than publishing frequently. Our existing papers reflect earlier research directions, not our current work. We expect to publish selected highlights from our active programs in 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr