Postdoctoral Fellowship – CSOF4

Role summary for potential applicants

Advertised Job Title: / Postdoctoral Fellowship in Population Genetics
Reference Number: / 24702
Classification: / CSOF4
Salary Range: / AU $78K to AU $88K plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Location: / Armidale, NSW, Australia
Tenure: / Specified Term of 2 years
Relocation assistance: / Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.
Applications are open to: / All candidates
Functional Area: / Research Scientist / Engineer - Postdoc
% Client Focus - Internal: / 70%
% Client Focus - External: / 30%
Reports to the: / Team Leader - Animal Measurement
Number of Direct Reports: / 0
Role Overview:
Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers, who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects, and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO.
Postdoctoral Fellows 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.
This two year role will work on a project funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with genome sequence data from the parasite Haemonchus contortus to develop a high throughput platform for assaying genetic variants (SNP and/or INDEL). Accompanying the development, the Postdoctoral Fellow will perform genetic selection and genetic mixing experiments, analyses of genetic structure in populations and detection of divergence between isolates. The outcomes of the work will be aimed at developing a practical tool for population monitoring within the Australian sheep industry.
The project aims to forge a practical outcome for the sheep industry from cutting edge genomics research focussed on an important disease organism, H. contortus. This multicellular parasite is closely related to human hookworms and causes anaemia and fatalities in sheep. H. contortus is the first of four important gastro-intestinal parasites of sheep to have its genome sequenced, and this project will be amongst the first to take advantage of this new resource.
Duties and Key Result Areas:
·  Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
·  In collaboration with the University of Queensland, design and test SNP (and/or INDEL) assays for monitoring populations of H. contortus.
·  Test assays for their reliability in pooled samples and for DNA extracted from field-derived samples.
·  Develop, test and trouble shoot methodology for the extraction of genomic DNA from field-derived samples of H. contortus.
·  Conduct population mixing and selection experiments using sheep as the host. This will include post mortem dissection of animals.
·  Analyse genetic marker data, conducting quality control screening and statistical analyses including the detection of population structure, population change over generations and divergence between field-derived isolates.
·  Travel to the University of Queensland and to sheep properties will be necessary as part of the work.
·  Undertake regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.
·  Produce high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in quality journals, for client reports and granting of patents.
·  Prepare appropriate conference papers and present those at conferences as agreed with your supervisor.
·  Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and ideas for further research.
·  Make a contribution to the effective functioning of the research team and help deliver CSIRO’s organisational objectives and plans.
·  Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO.
·  Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
·  Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
·  Undertake an appropriate training and development program developed by CSIRO.
·  Other duties as directed.
CSIRO’s postdoctoral training program is developed between the Postdoctoral Fellow and a CSIRO scientist. The program will focus on enhancing the Fellows’ capabilities to the level expected of an independent researcher and will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing:
·  Discipline-specific techniques and protocols
·  Professional growth
·  Project management
·  Communication and influencing skills
·  Working and collaborating with others
http://www.csiro.au/en/Careers/Student-and-graduate-programs/Postdoctoral-fellowships
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisites:
1.  Education/Qualifications: A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as molecular genetics, population genetics or bioinformatics.
Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
2.  Communication: 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.
3.  Publications: A record of publications in quality, peer reviewed journals.
4.  Behaviours: A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.
Essential Criteria:
1.  Demonstrated knowledge or skills in bioinformatics and statistical analysis for population genetics. Experience with software or platforms such as SAM tools, Geneious, Galaxy, Structure, PLINK, Arlequin or similar will be advantageous.
2.  Demonstrated knowledge of Molecular biology, especially the development of genetic marker assays for SNP and/or INDEL. Experience with data derived from Sequenom, Illumina Golden Gate and/or Illumina/Solexa sequencing will be advantageous.
3.  Experience with basic laboratory skills such as the preparation of solutions, following written protocols, microscopy, PCR, DNA extractions.
4.  Demonstrated understanding of the need to develop practical tools, useful within industry as an output of research. For example the development of diagnostics, predictive tools or therapeutics.
5.  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.
6.  A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
Desirable Criteria:
1.  Knowledge of weeds, pests or disease organisms and their impact upon agriculture.
2.  Familiarity with the epidemiology of helminth parasites or other infectious disease organisms.
CSIRO Values:
As Australia’s Innovation Catalyst, CSIRO has strategic actions underpinned by behaviours aligned to Excellent science, Inclusion, trust & respect, Health, safety & environment and Deliver on commitments. In your application and at interview you will need to demonstrate alignment with these behaviours.
Eligibility
To be appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO, candidates are required to have submitted their PhD at the time of commencement, as a minimum requirement, if PhD conferment has not been obtained. If a candidate has submitted, but their PhD has not yet been formally attained, the starting salary will be CSOF4-1 AU $78,479. Upon CSIRO receiving written confirmation that the PhD has been awarded (within a six month period from commencement date), the salary will be increased to the negotiated level and the difference will be back-paid to the Officer’s start date.
Other special requirements:
Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including security/medical/character clearance requirements. Applicants who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to undergo additional security clearance processes; which may include medical examinations and an international standardised test of English language proficiency (i.e. IELTS test).- http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx
Travel:
The role will require travel to the University of Queensland (Gatton and St Lucia) for periods of up to 1 month, and occasional visits to sheep properties.
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers. You may be asked to provide additional information (online) relevant to the selection criteria. If so, then responding will enhance your application so please take the time to provide relevant succinct answers. Applicants who do not provide the information when requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: .
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact:
Dr Peter Hunt via email: or phone: +61 2 6776 1321
Please do not email your application directly to Dr Hunt. Applications received via this method will not be considered.
About CSIRO
At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. Our innovations contribute billions of dollars to the Australian economy every year. As the largest patent holder in the nation, our vast wealth of intellectual property has led to more than 150 spin-off companies. With more than 5,000 experts and a burning desire to get things done, we are Australia’s catalyst for innovation. We have a national footprint with sites in every state and mainland territory.
CSIRO. We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. Find out more! www.csiro.au.
CSIRO Agriculture and Food is helping Australian farmers and industry improve productivity and sustainability across the agriculture sector. We work with livestock farmers and allied industries to improve their productivity, profitability and sustainability through better livestock breeds and management practices.
What CSIRO offers you
The Postdoctoral Fellow will be mentored by three senior researchers, two with extensive experience with H. contortus, Dr Peter Hunt (Armidale) and Dr Andrew Kotze (St Lucia), both from CSIRO. The third team member, Dr Russell Lyons from the University of Queensland (Gatton) has extensive experience in genomics, having worked with multiple species, including parasites.
Molecular biology facilities are available in all three laboratories, and each location also has complementary capabilities. Gatton has specialised high throughput genotyping capacity, St Lucia houses a bioinformatics group and specialised in vitro parasite culture facilities and Armidale has extensive facilities for sheep in vivo experimentation. During the project, interactions between the Armidale and Brisbane groups will be frequent, and travel to Brisbane for both meetings and research work will be undertaken. Technical support will be provided to assist with both in vivo sheep work and molecular laboratory work, but learning skills in these areas will be part of the postdoctoral experience offered.
CSIRO Armidale is co-located with the University of New England and also at our purpose built livestock research facility, “Chiswick”. Laboratory and office facilities are provided. Research at CSIRO Armidale includes animal health and welfare, phenomics, genetics and genomics. Most projects service the extensive livestock production industries: beef cattle, lamb, wool, goats and free range poultry. Armidale is a regional centre in the North of NSW, Australia’s most populated state. Less than one day’s drive from either Sydney or Brisbane, and serviced by both air and rail, Armidale is well connected to other Australian centres. Armidale has great educational and sporting facilities, and is located near the spectacular Gondwana rainforests world heritage area. Tamworth, the region’s largest centre, is only one hour away from Armidale by road, and has extensive equestrian facilities, agribusiness centre and hosts a major music festival.