Research Laboratory Scientist

Bayside Health

Bayside Health is a public health service delivering high-quality care across every stage of life for close to 1.2 million people living in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Koo Wee Rup, Bass Coast and Southern Gippsland. We have more than 15 main sites, including hospitals, centres and clinics that provide comprehensive care from welcoming newborns to supporting older people and a full range of services in between. More than 22,000 dedicated staff are focused on providing exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, compassion, and a commitment to continuous growth. Education and training are central to staff development as we encourage all employees to strive and thrive. Bayside Health was formed following the merger of Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health on 1 January 2026.

• Fixed Term – 12 months
• Full-time: 76 hours per fortnight
• Classification: Medical Scientist Grade 1 (dependent on experience and qualifications)
• Location: Alfred Health
• Staff benefits

The Department

The Department of Infectious Diseases at the Alfred Hospital is one of the largest and most comprehensive infectious diseases clinical services in the country. It is also an academic Department within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University and is a premier centre for clinical and biomedical research and education. The Department offers expertise in general infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, travel-related infections, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted infections, and infections in immunocompromised hosts including critical care, burns, cystic fibrosis and solid organ (lung, heart and kidney) and stem cell transplant recipients. Through our Alfred Infectious Diseases Training Program, we provide outstanding opportunities for advanced training in infectious diseases.

The Role

This role will support the laboratory aspects of research projects that are focused on understanding clinical bacterial isolates, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants, ability to diagnose bacterial infections from direct clinical samples, the application of microbial genomics in a clinical setting including the use of short and long read sequencing, and improved understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial disease.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Science or Biomedical Science Degree in an appropriate area of study, or relevant experience
• Demonstrated laboratory research experience
• Ability to solve complex problems by using discretion, innovation and the exercise of diagnostic skills and/or expertise
• Experience in microbiological techniques, e.g. bacterial culture, identification, susceptibility phenotyping

Desirable

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience in molecular biology techniques
• Experience in processing human derived biological samples
• Experience developing ethics applications

Key Capabilities

• Experience with proper handling of DNA/RNA samples
• Experience with the implementation of known molecular biology protocols
• Well-developed planning and organisational skills

Benefits of working with us:

• Salary Packaging
• Onsite Gym
• Child care services

Please include your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest. Please provide a minimum of two referees. Applicants must have full Australian work rights.

All enquiries to Ruzeen Patwa via ************@monash.edu

Applications close: 11pm AEST, Monday 24th August 2026.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people of all genders, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application materials, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

In accordance with the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020, health care workers in Category A or B roles (as determined by the department’s risk ratings) are required to be vaccinated against influenza or hold an acceptable medical exemption.