• Do you have (or will shortly obtain) a PhD in plant physiology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry?
• Like to work on a project that enhances further the nutritional benefits of brown rice?
• Join the CSIRO Agriculture & Food team for this exciting postdoctoral fellowship

The Position:

This position is for up to 24 months and will work closely with leading Research Scientists in their respective field. The postdoc will carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. Findings will be presented in appropriate publications and at conferences.

The benefits of consumption of wholegrains are well documented, however, the level of consumption in some sectors of the community remain low.  This is particularly evident with the rice grain which is predominantly consumed in polished form with the majority of vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein and lipid removed. While a parallel project aims to improve the taste stability and shelf-life of unpolished (brown) rice, this project aims to enhance further the nutritional benefits of brown rice. The project begins with a line developed in collaboration with the Institute of Botany (CAS) in which the thickness of the aleurone layer is up to 10 fold larger. The aleurone is the outer layer of the endosperm where most of the vitamins, fibre and minerals accumulate. While there is 10 fold more aleurone, the levels of micronutrients increases only from 30-90%. This represents an underutilised sink in the grain and provides an opportunity to enhance further the nutrient density of brown rice by further upregulating nutrient loading.  This will require understanding the relationship between sink and source and manipulating complementary technologies to utilise the larger sink more fully. 

In particular this project will focus on super-loading Fe and Zn into the thick aleurone to test the hypothesis that genetic manipulation of both source and sink can achieve higher nutritional benefits. To this end we will collaborate with Dr. Alex Johnson, University of Melbourne, who has demonstrated 2x increase in rice grain endosperm Fe and Zn with the overexpression of OsNAS2. This gene encodes nicotianamine synthase, an enzyme whose products are used in the uptake and transport of Fe and Zn ions. The approach will be to transform the thick aleurone rice, already in a highly transformable background, with the OsNAS2 gene, obtain homozygotes for the transgene and examine the accumulation of Fe and Zn under controlled conditions. In addition to the quantities, the location of the cations in the grain will be determined using Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.

Your duties will include:

• Under the direction of senior research scientists, carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Producing quality research in the area of rice grain quality.
• Developing plants with enhanced bioavailable iron and zinc content.
• Investigating the location of accumulating iron and zinc in a rice mutant with thick aleurone.
• Undertaking regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.

Location: Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT
Salary: $82k to $93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 2 years
Ref no: 58384

To be successful you will have:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as plant physiology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including at national and international conferences.
• Strong background in molecular plant biology or equivalent. Strong background in plant metabolism and biochemistry or equivalent.
• Experience with molecular techniques and/or working with transgenic plants.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.

Before applying please view the full position details and selection criteria here: Position Details

About Us

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.

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

How to Apply: Please provide enough information relevant to the selection criteria for this position to enable the assessment panel to determine your suitability, and upload one document containing your CV/resume and cover letter.  

Applications Close:  10:59pm AEDT, 31 October 2018.