Director of Functional and Immunogenomics Research Strategy

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) is seeking a visionary and distinguished scientist to lead an innovative program that integrates immunology, genomics, and bioinformatics. This inaugural role will advance therapeutic research, focusing on immune-related conditions such as transplantation and autoimmune diseases.

The Director will establish and lead a high-impact research team, translating foundational discoveries into clinical solutions. Responsibilities include developing bioinformatics frameworks, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and securing competitive research funding. This role comes with a generous start-up package, covering the Director’s salary and two team members for five years, supported by a donor.

Situated within the world-class Westmead Health Precinct, WIMR provides access to cutting-edge technology platforms and unique access to networks of clinicians and the diverse population of Greater Western Sydney. This position is ideal for an internationally recognised leader eager to transform genomic medicine and deliver clinical breakthroughs.

Major Responsibilities include:

Research Leadership and Strategy Development

• Establish and lead an independently funded, cutting-edge research team focused on functional genomics and immunology, specifically in the areas of transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
• Drive innovation by developing and implementing bioinformatics and computational frameworks to support genomic data analysis, aligning with national and global initiatives in genomic medicine.
• Provide visionary leadership, positioning WIMR as a global leader in translational immunology and genomic research.

 Advanced Research in Genomics and Immunology 

• Conduct pioneering biological research that bridges genomics and immunology, emphasizing translational applications in immune-related diseases and therapeutic interventions in areas such as transplantation, autoimmunity, and inflammation.
• Champion the development of novel bioinformatics tools that uncover disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets, particularly for immune and inflammatory responses.

Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research

• Champion interdisciplinary collaborations among laboratory and clinical researchers to integrate genomic and immunological discoveries with clinical applications. 
• Act as a liaison with national and global research bodies to position WIMR as a global leader in genomic medicine, building partnerships that enhance the institute’s research capacity.
• Develop strategies that leverage WIMR’s established expertise in precision medicine, genomics, and translational research.

Funding and Resource Acquisition

• Drive research funding through competitive grant applications, philanthropic initiatives, and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure sustainable growth by securing funding from diverse sources and leading major research projects within functional genomics and immunology. 
• Engage with industry partners to explore commercialisation pathways for research findings, maximizing the impact of WIMR’s discoveries.

Mentorship and Training 

• Mentor and supervise a dynamic team of research staff and students (Honours, Masters, MD, and PhD) in genomics, bioinformatics, and immunology.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, ethical research, and collaborative achievement within the team.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following education, experience, and technical knowledge:

• PhD or equivalent qualification in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Immunology, Epigenetics, Transcriptional Regulation, or related fields.
• Demonstrated leadership in functional genomics, bioinformatics, and immunology research, with a track record of translating research into clinical or therapeutic applications.
• Proven record of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in integrating genomic and immunological research with clinical teams.
• Expertise in developing and applying bioinformatics tools to interpret large-scale genomic data in genomic medicine.
• Strong history of securing competitive research funding and publishing in high-impact journals, reflecting international recognition in bioinformatics, genomics, or immunology.
• Leadership experience in managing and motivating multidisciplinary research teams.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Proficiency in advanced genomic technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics approaches.
• Demonstrated success in creating bioinformatics tools to integrate genomic data, facilitating clinical and research data linkage.
• Proven ability to foster collaborations between basic research teams and clinical applications, with a focus on translational and therapeutic innovations.
• Experience in commercialising research discoveries.

About WIMR

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) is a leading medical research institute in Australia, strategically located at the heart of the Westmead Health Precinct—designated by the NSW Government as the lighthouse precinct for biomedical technology. Governed by an independent Board and closely affiliated with the University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, WIMR is uniquely positioned to drive innovation in medical science, offering a multi-disciplinary research environment spanning Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Cancer and Oncology; Regenerative Medicine and Transplantation; Immunology and Inflammation; Infectious Diseases and Virology; Ophthalmology and Vision Science; Metabolic and Liver Diseases.

At WIMR, our "bench to bedside" philosophy fosters the rapid translation of discoveries from laboratory research to patient care, enhancing diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies. Our work is grounded in precision medicine, leveraging each person’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to deliver tailored healthcare solutions.

 Situated in one of Australia’s most culturally diverse areas, our research is enriched by the multi-ethnic community of Western Sydney, a microcosm of the world. This partnership strengthens our mission to deliver globally relevant, personalized healthcare and fuels cutting-edge research in AI and genomics that is informed by a representative and globally impactful sample. At WIMR, we believe in transforming medicine to treat the person, not just the disease, and are committed to scaling personalized treatment to reach all patients.