• Are you a recent (or soon-to-be) PhD graduate in the areas of plant or fungal molecular biology and microbiology?
• Work with CSIRO's National Collections and Marine Infrastructure business unit
• Kick-start your research career at Australia's premier research organisation

The Position

Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for up to three years and will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.

Future Science Platforms are an investment in science that underpins innovation and that has the potential to help reinvent and create new industries for Australia. To position Australia to build a vibrant synthetic biology research and development community to support the bio-based industries and ecoengineering activities of tomorrow, CSIRO has established the Synthetic Biology FSP (SynBioFSP). Synthetic Biology (SynBio) is the design and construction of biological parts, devices, and organisms (usually based on DNA-encoded componentry); and their application for useful purposes.

As a postdoctoral fellow on our team, you will be a part of a project of which the overall objective is to build a platform for reliable resynthesis of a lichen symbiosis by focusing on two aims:

• Creating novel devices to manipulate interactions among symbionts and lichen-colonising microbes;
• Using ‘omic approaches to characterise key features of lichen development.

This role will focus on both aims and will work in conjunction with experts on lichen biology, ‘omics, device design and fabrication, and network modelling to achieve them.

Your duties will include: 

• Documenting cellular changes in the fungal and algal partners during lichen development, using various microscopy techniques, and by collecting liquid and/or cellular samples to generate genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic, lipidomic and metabolomic data.
• Performing quality control and assembly of high throughput sequencing data, as well as the annotation of reference genomes for the fungal and algal study species.
• Engaging with external collaborators and the Australian nanotechnology community to develop expertise in the design and fabrication of micro- and mesoscale devices that will be used to manipulate interactions between the fungal and algal partners during lichen development.
• Liaising with internal and external collaborators to collate the omics data and analyse these data with the help of a systems biology modeller who is part of the project team.

Location:  Canberra (Black Mountain), ACT, Australia
Salary:  AU$82K to AU$93K plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Specified term of 2 years and 6 months
Job reference:  58555

To be successful, you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as plant or fungal molecular biology and microbiology.
• The ability to independently design, plan, and implement multiple culture experiments involving micro-organisms in a time-efficient manner.
• Experience with using micro-organisms (preferably fungi or microalgae) in research experiments, including working in sterile conditions, isolating/manipulating single cells, and co-culturing micro-organisms.
• Technical capability in plant and/or fungal molecular biology, including DNA or RNA extractions, high throughput sequencing, and genome assembly.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

Before you apply, please view the full position details and selection criteria here: Position description

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Find out more! Balance

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. We do this by using science and technology to solve real issues. Diversity is the compass that navigates our innovation. We provide an inclusive workplace that respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of a diverse workforce.

How to apply: Please upload one document only containing both your CV/Resume and cover letter, ensuring you provide enough information relevant to the essential and desirable criteria as listed in the position description, to enable the selection panel to determine your suitability.

Applications close: 11:59pm AEST, Tuesday 9th October 2018

Please note:  This is a re-advertisement of job reference no. 57011. Previous applicants need not not apply.