• Develop material that can functionally interface with the complex multiple cell layers of the human retina
• Research novel polymers and biopolymers as candidate materials for fabricating a membrane mimic
• Join a multidisciplinary team at CSIRO Manufacturing for this exciting postdoctoral fellowship

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.

This research projects aims to develop a novel defined and biocompatible material that can functionally interface with the complex multiple cell layers of the human retina. The Postdoctoral Fellow will explore novel polymers and biopolymers as candidate materials for fabricating a mimic for the retinal Bruch’s membrane. A critical step in mimicking a natural membrane will require an understanding of the key biological interactions with retinal cells and the underlying blood supply, and identifying key molecules required to engage specifically and functionally with these components. This will form a targeted approach in bioengineering a membrane with, not only the appropriate physical and chemical properties, but with the molecular complexities required to integrate with its biological environment. This position will require the development of novel tissue engineering strategies to enable a complex and biologically functional in vitro model that is representative of the human retina and compatible with platform therapeutic discovery applications.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a multidisciplinary team at CSIRO including polymer scientists, biomaterials engineers and cell biologists within CSIRO’s Biomedical Manufacturing and Advanced Fibres & Chemical Industries [led by Veronica Glattauer (Primary supervisor), Yen Truong and Carmel O’Brien]. The project will also be undertaken in collaboration with eye disease and tissue engineering researchers at the Centre for Eye Research, University of Melbourne (Alice Pebay), Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Eye Institute (Damian Harkin).

Your duties will include:

• Under the direction of senior research scientists, carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO and collaborating research organisations that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Creating an understanding of known and yet to be defined biological compositions and key interactions of the Bruch’s membrane for incorporation into a fabricated membrane.
• Exploring molecular libraries (proteins, peptides and mimetics) to support the viable culture of specialised human vascular and retinal cell types.
• Investigating material options, through the fabrication of biocompatible membranes or hydrogels from a selection of starting natural and synthetic polymers. These will be researched using a combination of different fabrication techniques.
• Evaluating the mechanical, physical and biological attributes of the fabricated membrane for properties akin to the in-vivo Bruch's interface.

Location: Clayton, Victoria
Salary: $82k to $93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of up to 3 years
Job ref: 58743

To be successful you will have:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as biomaterials or polymer sciences, tissue engineering. 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.
• Experience in polymer chemistry, surface modification and materials characterisation.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate biomaterials from synthetic and/or natural polymers.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and aseptic handling techniques.

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.