POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Employer:
Department:
Division:
Supervisor/Manager:
Date:
Research Officer
Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory
Metabolism and Obesity
Dr. Clinton Bruce
25/10/2011
BACKGROUND:
Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute was established in 2008 following the merger of the
Baker Heart Research Institute and the International Diabetes Institute. Baker IDI is the
nation’s first multi-disciplinary organisation tackling the deadly trio of obesity, diabetes and
cardiovascular disease through research, education and patient care.
DEPARTMENT:
The Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory is focused on better understanding the
causes of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our team is working on
identifying causative factors in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance with the ultimate goal of
developing drugs that can that can be used to treat metabolic diseases. This involves
performing in vivo metabolic studies and the use of cell culture models.
NATURE OF ENVIRONMENT:
Deadline driven; tight schedules; self managed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work with support, guidance and/or routine direction from staff at levels above.
Supervision of technical aspects of graduate student projects.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Travel to conferences related to research will be required.
KEY JOB REQUIREMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
 Coordinate a research project with assistance from Laboratory Head/Supervisor.
 Coordinate rodent studies.
 Perform in vivo metabolic studies on laboratory animals, including the performance of
surgical procedures and the use of tracer methodology to assess metabolism.
 Conduct molecular and biochemical experiments
 Coordinate the processing and analysis of data
 Develop new and/or revised research methodologies
 Perform critical analyses of literature relevant to research
 Assist in the preparation of research papers and manuscripts for publication and
presentation at conferences and workshops, and in the writing of project reports,
articles and other documents.
 Participate in the development of general goals for the research project and in the
planning of the field and/or laboratory work; plan and coordinate the work of laboratory
assistants, graduate students, programmers and other support personnel; and serve as
a consultant to the project director, grant principals, and staff.
 Organise data for the preparation of proposals for new funding.
 Assure compliance with affirmative action and safety programs.
 Demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines without compromising close attention to
detail and accuracy.
MEET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPANY:
Maintain up to date and accurate knowledge in:
 OH&S legislation
 EEO Legislation
 Privacy Legislation
 Confidential Information Policy
Research Officer Position Description as at 3/12/2010
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Baker Medical Research Institute Code of Conduct
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Baker IDI Intellectual Property Agreement
PROBLEM SOLVING COMPLEXITY:
Will be required to solve complex issues with the research methodology, or to be reference for
resolution for own or related skill area.
Apply broad approaches and be able to call on a significant amount of precedent in the
resolution of problems.
REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION HOLDER
EDUCATION LEVEL:
Requires the academic knowledge of a health science discipline, such as physiology,
metabolism or biochemistry, plus the ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge that
is associated with a PhD.
EXPERIENCE:
Experience in performing in vivo metabolic studies, molecular biology or protein biochemistry
and an understanding of tracer methodology for use in metabolic research as well as complex
signalling processes is necessary. A sound understanding of skeletal muscle and liver
metabolism is essential.
ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE:
Understand own area of research, and how this team interacts with other directly related
groups within the research programme. Functional and administrative supervision may be
exercised over laboratory assistants, graduate students and other assigned research and
support personnel.
COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
 A high level of interpersonal skills, which enable the appointee to liaise
effectively with a wide range of people at a variety of levels internal and external
to the Baker.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills.
 Demonstrated ability to participate positively in a team.
KNOWLEDGE:
 Well developed negotiation skills, including the ability to negotiate priorities and
manage conflicting demands for resources.
 Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage a
range of tasks with conflicting priorities.
ABILITIES:
 Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines without compromising close attention to
detail and accuracy.
 Proven ability to work as a member of a team as well as autonomously without
close supervision.
 Demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative and to improve and
enhance existing systems and procedures (quality assurance).
 Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy requirements.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
This is a research officer position with work in the field of skeletal muscle and liver
substrate metabolism with scope of interest including obesity, insulin resistance and
type 2 diabetes.
Last updated 3/12/2010
Research Officer Position Description as at 3/12/2010
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