Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or similar?
• Contribute to solving one of our most pressing sustainability challenges
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

This role will be part of CSIRO’s efforts in solving one of our most pressing sustainability challenges, the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. The CERC Fellow will be part of Resource Sector Biotechnology Team, Industrial Biotechnology Group and Industry Environments Program in Land and Water Business Unit.

The successful candidate will join a world-class, multidisciplinary research team to explore the use of electroactive microorganisms for polyhydroxylalkanoates (PHAs) production, supporting the bioplastic industry and the transition to a circular economy. You will design and construct suitable bioelectrochemical reactor(s), where the PHA-producing microbes are deployed, and PHA yield and composition are optimised.

Your duties will include:

• As part of a multidisciplinary research team, carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Developing, leading, and managing the experimental program and deliverables on “electrofermentation for sustainable bioplastics production”, with support from the research team.
• Designing, building and characterising microorganisms and reactors to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by bioelectrochemical fermentation.
• Recognising and utilising opportunities for innovation and the generation of new theoretical perspectives, and progress opportunities for the further development or creation of new lines of research.

Location: Perth, WA
Salary: AU$89k - AU$98k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Reference: 86683

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioelectrochemistry, systems biology, synthetic biology, environmental engineering, or similar. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated experience in microbiology and aseptic culture techniques and/or developing and evaluating the performance of bioprocesses.
• Demonstrated experience in the application of molecular biology, omics and/or systems biology approaches to characterise the composition and/or function of microbial cultures and/or molecular mechanisms of microbial activities.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting bioreactor experiments, analysing data and delivering outcomes in agreed timelines.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Australian temporary residents currently residing in Australia who are able to commence in the role by 31 January 2023.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter addressing individually each of the essential and desirable selection criteria listed in the Position Description (max 4 pages in total) and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

31 August 2022, 11:00pm AEST