Research Assistant

About the role

Kimer Med is a biotechnology company based in Nelson, developing a new class of broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics. Join us in our vision to reduce suffering by ending viral disease.

We are looking for a capable, organised and practical Research Assistant to support our scientists. This is a hands-on laboratory role supporting high-quality laboratory, technical and research support that contribute to the successful delivery of Kimer Med's antiviral therapeutic research programmes, combining laboratory operations, experimental support, data management, compliance and scientific collaboration.

You will work with our Biomedical Research Scientists and the Laboratory Manager. Success in this role means a well-organised laboratory, equipment and stock available when scientists need them, accurate records, compliance obligations consistently met, and experiments supported on schedule.

Your responsibilities will include

Laboratory work

• Performing routine laboratory techniques, including pipetting, centrifugation, filtration, gel electrophoresis and plate-based assays.

• Supporting recombinant protein expression, purification and analysis.

• Supporting mammalian cell culture and maintaining aseptic working practices.

• Assisting scientists with in vitro assays, sample preparation and routine experimental procedures, helping keep laboratory work organised and on schedule.

• Assisting with routine data entry, checking and organisation, so that experimental results are complete and ready for scientists to review.

Laboratory operations

• Preparing buffers, media, reagents, solutions and other laboratory materials.

• Cleaning, sterilising and preparing equipment, glassware and consumables.

• Monitoring laboratory stocks and working with the Laboratory Manager on replenishment, with occasional contact with suppliers and equipment service providers.

• Receiving, labelling, storing and tracking materials, samples and reagents.

• Supporting equipment checks, calibration, maintenance and servicing schedules.

Records, compliance and safety

• Maintaining accurate, complete and timely records in our Electronic Laboratory Notebook and other controlled systems, so that data and samples are traceable and audit-ready.

• Supporting the preparation and upkeep of standard operating procedures and controlled documents.

• Following PC-2, MPI, EPA, health and safety, biosecurity and waste-disposal requirements, including cleaning, decontamination and contamination control.

• Reporting incidents, deviations, equipment faults and potential safety concerns promptly.

You must

• Have a relevant tertiary qualification in biomedical science, biotechnology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology or a related discipline.

• Have practical laboratory experience gained through employment, research or a tertiary laboratory programme.

• Be comfortable working with biological materials in a PC-2 environment.

• Be able to follow procedures, and be organised, reliable and attentive to detail, with a commitment to accurate records.

• Be willing to be flexible, take initiative and contribute widely to Kimer Med research and operations.

• Communicate clearly in written and spoken English and work effectively as part of a small scientific team.

• Already be in New Zealand and have the right to work here.

Key competencies

• Technical and Professional Expertise: Applies laboratory and scientific knowledge effectively

• Concern for Order, Quality and Accuracy: Maintains meticulous records and follows procedures consistently

• Analytical Thinking: Interprets data, identifies trends and solves technical problems

• Information Seeking: Investigates anomalies and seeks evidence before drawing conclusions

• Teamwork and Cooperation: Collaborates effectively with scientists and colleagues

• Initiative: Anticipates needs and acts proactively

• Achievement Orientation: Delivers work efficiently and to a high standard

• Self-Management: Maintains effectiveness under changing priorities

Preferred experience

• Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression in E. coli and/or protein purification.

• Familiarity with common molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, such as SDS-PAGE, protein quantification, basic cloning workflows, qPCR and related techniques

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including routine maintenance, passaging, cell counting and cryopreservation.

• Experience conducting in vitro experiments and cell-based assays.

• Experience with inventory systems, Electronic Laboratory Notebook or laboratory information systems.

• Exposure to GLP-aligned, pharmaceutical or other controlled research environments.

About Kimer Med and the team

Kimer Med is a growing New Zealand biotechnology company. You will work closely with experienced scientists in a small, collaborative team at our site in Nelson.

What we offer

• The opportunity to contribute to the development of a new class of antiviral therapeutics.

• Hands-on experience in a growing New Zealand biotechnology company, working closely with experienced scientists.

• Exposure to recombinant protein, cell biology, virology and pre-clinical drug development, with the chance to build broad experience across laboratory operations and research support.

• Training in our laboratory procedures, equipment and compliance requirements.

• A role in which careful, high-quality technical work makes a direct contribution to the company's scientific progress.

We encourage candidates who meet some, but not all, of the experience above to apply.