CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship - Genome engineering and comparative genomics - CSIRO - GovernmentCareer - Federal

First listed on: 11 May 2018

CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship - Genome engineering and comparative genomics 

  • Develop innovative solutions to Australia’s big health issues
  • Use comparative immunology and genomics to identify resilience pathways for Avian Influenza
  • Launch your research career at CSIRO and really make a difference!

The position:

CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowships help facilitate the recruitment and development of our potential leaders.  They provide valuable opportunities for scientists and engineers to launch their careers, extend professional networks and enhance their career prospects.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow with CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, you will form an integral part of larger research activities in the application of precision genome engineering technology to solve poultry industry problems.  You will undertake a research project to identify key differences between wild bird species and domestic chicken genomes that may confer increased resilience to Avian Influenza. The aim of your research will be to validate these differences using a comparative immunology approach in gene edited cell lines and then translate this to develop germline engineered chickens. To enable this, you will be involved with and supported by a highly skilled, multidisciplinary and innovative research team.  As such, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of the postdoctoral project from discovery through to the development of edited chickens for in vivo validation.

Specifically you will:

• Apply comparative genomic tools to identify novel differences between wild and domestic birds within key immune gene pathways to compare resilience and susceptibility to Avian Influenza.

• Apply gene editing technology to restore function of immune pathway genes in the chicken for evaluation of increased resilience to Avian Influenza.

• Contribute to team goals for the generation of specific genome engineered chickens.

• Undertake regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.

• Prepare, publish and present high quality scientific papers.

• Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and ideas for further research.

You will be mentored by an independent scientist and by senior team members with expertise in a range of areas that overlap with the postdoctoral project, and you may spend time in our international collaborators’ laboratories (poultry breeding company). You will gain considerable experience in the translation of research, including IP protection, resource management, working in and managing multidisciplinary teams, and likely paths to adoption, investment and commercialisation.

Location:      Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Salary:          AU $83k to AU $91k per annum, plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:         3 year term
Job ref:         57023

As a minimum requirement, you will hold a doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as genome engineering, comparative immunology and genomics. You will also have:

• Excellent communication and team skills, including a record of publications in quality journals and a history of professional behaviours.

• A track record of research in genome engineering, comparative immunology or genomics.

• High-level skills in molecular biology techniques.

• Strong knowledge in host pathogen interaction.

• The ability to work with autonomy and creativity.

To see all the criteria required for success in this role, click on the ‘Position Details’ link below. Apply today!

Position Details

To be eligible for this postdoctoral fellowship, you must have less than 3 years of relevant research experience since gaining your PhD.

About CSIRO

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 - CSIRO

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 load one document containing your CV and a brief cover letter which outlines your interest in the role and your motivations for applying (Maximum 2MB). At the end of the online application process, you will also be required to respond to some screening questions. 

Applications close: Tuesday 19 June, 2018 (11:59pm AEST)