Kairuruku | Research Assistant in Brain Health Research
- Are you a motivated individual interested in a fixed-term, full-time role?
- Do you have a relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent professional experience?
- Have you got experience working in a lab environment with lab and project management experience?
Korero mo te turanga - About the role
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Kairuruku - Research Assistant in Brain Health Research to join Te Puna Hauora - School of Health on a 12-month, fixed-term, part-time contract. This is a position based at Kelburn Campus.
Key responsibilities:
- iPSC Generation and Characterisation: Generate and characterise induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from skin fibroblasts of Pacific Parkinson's disease patients and healthy individuals.
- Neuronal Differentiation: Lineage-specific differentiation and characterisation of iPSC-derived human dopaminergic neurons derived from both patient and healthy iPSC lines.
- Organoid Development: Develop and analyse human midbrain organoids from patient and healthy iPSCs to support disease modelling and research outcomes.
- Laboratory Management and Operations: Contribute to effective laboratory management, including maintaining equipment, managing reagents, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, and supporting overall laboratory operations.
O pumanawa - About you
You will be a motivated and detail-oriented research professional with proven expertise in stem cell culture, characterisation and quality control. You must be capable of working with iPSC-derived neuronal models and organoids, confocal and high-throughput microscopy and subsequent analyses, while maintaining high-quality laboratory practices, accurate record-keeping, and effective contribution to laboratory operations and compliance.
Key requirements:
- Generation and characterisation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from the skin fibroblasts of Pacific Parkinson's disease patients and healthy individuals.
- Generation and characterisation of human dopaminergic neurons from the patient and healthy iPSCs.
- Generation and characterisation of human midbrain organoids from the patient and healthy iPSCs.
- Lab management expertise.
Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.
If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University career's page.
Close date for vacancy: 29 June 2026.
Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Indranil Basak ([email protected]).
How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.
Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.
We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.
Mo Te Herenga Waka - About Our University
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.
Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.
