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The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) has an international reputation in biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, and microbiology, including proteomics and genomics, gene regulation, metabolism, environmental microbiology and infectious diseases. BABS teaches approximately 2,000 full- time equivalent students, and has 34 academics, 28 postdoctoral research associates or fellows, approximately 20 other research staff, 152 higher degree research students, 12 technical officers and 4 administrative staff. The School’s yearly operational budget is approximately $11M, with available research funds of approximately $9 million annually.
The Genetic Counsellor (Research) will provide counselling support and perspectives under the supervision of a clinical geneticist as part of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers working to improve outcomes for families impacted by genetic neuromuscular conditions. The Genetic Counsellor will participate in collaborative research focussed on exploring potential new genetic diagnoses, discovering new disease-causing genes / mechanisms of disease, describing new disorders, understanding the lived experience of affected individuals and their families, and developing novel treatments for individuals with these conditions.
The Genetic Counsellor will work closely with other members of the UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science (BABS)-based Medical Genomics Team as well as with staff of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Clinical Genetics and Neurology Departments. The Genetic Counsellor will also participate in ongoing training and personal and group supervision in genetic counselling.
About the role
• Level 6 ($100k - $107k) plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years (or to May 31st, 2027)
• Full-time (35 hours per week)
The role reports to Senior Lecturer, Dr. Emily Oates.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
- Provide information, genetic counselling support and perspectives to both prospective and already-enrolled research project participants and their families under the supervision of a clinical geneticist both face to face in the clinic setting (predominantly in the Sydney Children’s Hospital Neuromuscular Clinic) and via telephone/Telehealth consultations. Obtain and document informed participant consent for enrolment into research projects.
- Assist in the delivery of research results to participants and any associated follow up.
- Complete requests for access to participant tissue samples as required for research projects.
- Liaise with, and field inquiries from clinicians referring potentially research-eligible patients and acting as a conduit (alongside a clinical geneticist) between clinical referrers and the Medical Genomics team.
- Participate in relevant clinic review meetings and variant curation review meetings, with the option of contributing to variant filtering/curation in genetically unresolved families (prior experience in variant curation not essential).
- Liaise with other national and international clinicians and researchers (alongside a clinical geneticist) regarding potential case/gene/variant matches identified in the literature and via the team’s extensive collaborator network and via online tools e.g. GeneMatcher.
- Contribute to clinic letter drafts and written material relating to research in the field of medical genomics, including but not limited to clinical/phenotypic summaries, progress reports, research reports, ethics applications, manuscripts for publication and grant applications for external funding.
- Proactively manage project participant records, including entering clinical and other data into databases, ensuring that such data remains up to date, and undertaking associated basic data maintenance activities such as data cleaning and data editing.
- Identify privacy, confidentiality and other ethical issues which arise during the course of duties as a genetic counsellor and adhering to relevant policies and guidelines.
- Where required, assist with the delivery of presentations to a variety of stakeholders on topics relating to research in the field of medical genomics.
- Liaise with organisations, data custodians, stakeholders and collaborators and actively participate in meetings and discussions as required.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
- Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.
About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Relevant undergraduate degree with post-graduate qualification in genetic counselling.
- Board Eligible status with the Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling (Human Genetics Society of Australasia) and evidence of working towards full certification in Genetic Counselling
- Demonstrated skills and knowledge in the provision of genetic counselling services.
- Demonstrated understanding of the application of genomic medicine in the setting of clinical care and research.
- Demonstrated superior interpersonal communication skills to maintain effective stakeholder relationships whilst exercising discretion and confidentiality.
- Demonstrated computer literacy and the ability to use health information systems.
- Commitment to ongoing education including actively seeking opportunities to develop and nurture leadership skills.
- Demonstrated capacity to provide supervision and mentorship to junior research genetic counsellors, as well as research staff and students/trainees requiring genetics education.
- Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using judgement and initiative.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Emily Oates
E: e.oates@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: April 3rd, 2025
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UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
