Student Research Assistant

About Number 8 Bio 

Number 8 Bio is a venture-capital-backed start-up on a path to making a significant climate impact. We collaborate with farmers to enhance agricultural sustainability while boosting productivity. Our first products are innovative feed additives designed to eliminate methane emissions from the world's 2.6 billion cattle and sheep. 

Methane, a greenhouse gas responsible for approximately ~30% of climate change, is more potent and shorter-lived than carbon dioxide. Eliminating man-made methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future. 

Based at Macquarie University in Sydney, we are a team of passionate innovators in climate science and technology. We offer a dynamic, intellectual environment, flexible work hours, and the opportunity to make a real difference. 

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Student Research Assistant to help our Science team with general laboratory duties supporting ongoing rumen simulation experiments. The role involves preparing experiments, maintaining laboratory tidiness and assisting with gas chromatography analysis of volatile fatty acids. The position is casual, typically one or two days per week, with occasional additional days as required.

Responsibilities 

• Prepare feed and solutions: blend and sieve grass, prepare macro-mineral and buffer solutions for upcoming experiments.
• Maintain laboratory organisation: clean and organise benches and work areas, ensure equipment and consumables are in order.
• Equipment and setup preparation: Maintain rumen-simulating bioreactors. change water in water baths, clean and prepare reactors from finished experiments, and set up reactors for new experiments.
• Sample preparation: assist in sample preparation for gas chromatography analysis of volatile fatty acids and fermentation gases.
• Adhere to safety and quality standards: follow laboratory safety procedures, wear appropriate PPE, and handle materials according to standard operating procedures.

Qualifications & Skills

• Some basic laboratory experience (e.g., pipetting, weighing, preparing solutions). Ideally Bachelor or Master student level. 
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining clean, organised workspaces.
• Reliability and ability to work independently after initial training.
• Interest in animal science, microbiology, or biochemistry (preferred but not required).
• Willingness to get a Q-fever vaccination (paid for by Number 8 Bio) to be able to safely work with rumen fluid

 

Schedule & Location

• Casual position: 1–2 days per week (approximately 7–8 hours per day).
• Flexible hours: possibility to split one full day into two half-days if needed.
• Location: Macquarie University, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Preference will be given to Macquarie University students due to the proximity and alignment with research activities.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a passionate team of innovators dedicated to combating climate change
• Develop your lab skills alongside an experienced team of innovative scientists
• Enjoy a flexible and dynamic work environment within a great team

Join us at Number 8 Bio and contribute to groundbreaking work in climate technology and sustainable agriculture. Apply now to be part of a team making a real impact.