• JR3499

Make your mark in Melbourne

WEHI is seeking innovative and driven researchers from around the world to lead the next generation of scientific discovery. If you are passionate about advancing knowledge and making a tangible impact on health and disease, we invite you to join our world-class research institute.

About WEHI

Founded in 1915 as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, WEHI is a globally recognised leader in biomedical science. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we are driven by scientific excellence and the pursuit of knowledge. Our research spans fundamental discovery through to clinical translation, addressing some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
At WEHI, we invest in people and infrastructure to create an environment that fosters scientific breakthroughs. We are committed to academic freedom, cutting-edge innovation, and a collaborative approach that brings together the brightest minds to make a real-world impact.

Located in Melbourne's world-class biomedical precinct

WEHI is strategically located within the renowned Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, a global hub for medical research, healthcare, and biotechnology. Our close collaborations with leading hospitals, universities and industry partners enable seamless translation of research into clinical applications. Being part of this dynamic ecosystem provides unparalleled opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, access to state-of-the-art technology, and engagement with world-leading experts in biomedical science.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking emerging leaders in biomedical research who are:

• Discovery-driven: Committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and scientific advancement.
• Recognised experts: Demonstrating excellence and leadership in their field.
• Impact-focused: Passionate about translating research into benefits for national and global communities.
• Collaborative and inclusive: Dedicated to fostering a diverse and supportive research culture.

Our research strengths

WEHI's research programs span a broad range of disciplines, including:

• Immunology
• Infection and Global Health
• Inflammation
• Structural Biology
• Genetics and Gene Regulation
• Ubiquitin Signalling
• Advanced Technology and Biology
• New Medicines and Diagnostics
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Blood Cells and Blood Cancer
• Cancer Biology and Stem Cells
• Personalised Oncology

Why join WEHI?

WEHI offers an exceptional environment for researchers to thrive, with state-of-the-art facilities, strong institutional support, and connections with healthcare and industry partners. As an independent institute, we are uniquely positioned to set our own scientific priorities, ensuring that research remains at the heart of everything we do.

Australia is an attractive destination as a democratic country with a growing and ethnically diverse population. Melbourne, as one of the world's "most liveable" cities, is a great place for scientists and their families to live.

WEHI embraces diversity and actively supports inclusion, equity, and flexibility to enable our staff and students to reach their full potential. At WEHI, we believe that a collaborative and diverse research community leads to better science.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter
• A response to the selection criteria
• A CV

For more details about the role and WEHI, please refer to the brochure here.

For enquiries, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Laboratory Head enquiry via EthicalJobs

Join us in shaping the future of biomedical research and making a lasting impact on global health.

WEHI - Brighter together

WEHI is where the world's brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally. We are a community of researchers, students and professional service staff who work towards achieving discoveries that improve human health. We are driven by collaboration, curiosity and creativity. We are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world. We are WEHI. We are brighter together.

WEHI's commitment to diversity and inclusion

At WEHI we strive to foster a flexible working environment that encourages individual differences and promotes collaboration and creativity. We recognise that talent does not sit within a single identifiable group in our society and that WEHI's ability to shape contemporary scientific thinking and deliver leading professional services relies on a diversity of thought within our organisation. Our action to promote gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and we offer a range of support for women researchers.

Our commitment to celebrating diversity and addressing inequities is further demonstrated through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Gender Action Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and our WE-Pride network for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. We actively encourage applications from, people with a disability, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people and people with diverse genders and sexualities. Should you require support during the recruitment process due to special needs or consideration, please contact the People and Culture team via [email protected] using the subject line: Laboratory Head enquiry via EthicalJobs.

WEHI's commitment to Indigenous employment

WEHI is working to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be engaged at the scientific frontier, making exciting discoveries and decisions about the future of health in this country, and part of a leading professional services workforce supporting the realisation of these discoveries. We are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace and offering career development and leadership opportunities to First Nations staff and students. We strongly encourage any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.