• Do you have, or will shortly obtain, a PhD in materials science or in organic, polymer or analytical chemistry?
• Want to use new sugar-based receptors to identify microorganisms to design diagnostic tools for early pathogen identification?
• Join 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.

Methods to discriminate microorganisms are urgently required to facilitate diagnosis of infectious diseases, provide effective treatment and reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance effects. The aim of the project is to rationally select new sugar-based receptors to identify microorganisms, and use them to design diagnostic tools for early pathogen identification.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow with CSIRO Manufacturing you will aim to develop novel selection methodology which will help to link oligosaccharide sequence and 3D structure to their affinity and selectivity towards specific target analytes. This approach will culminate in new knowledge about the distinctive pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the pathogens via the analysis of the affinity between these molecular motifs conserved within a class of pathogens and selected panels of glycan aptamers. You will also aim to demonstrate for the first time that these glycan aptamers can transduce analyte binding into optical and electrochemical signals on biosensors and that this paradigm can be used to develop high performing infectious disease biosensors. 

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.
• Establishing in silico selection process to determine robust sequence-structure-function relationships within oligosaccharides.
• Conducting high throughput screening using microarrays.
• Evaluating affinity binding of target microorganisms.
• In collaboration with the Australian Animal Health Laboratories (AAHL), incorporating selected glycan aptamers into biosensors to distinguish between influenza, Dengue and Ebola viruses, and Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.
• Producing high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in quality journals, for client reports and granting of patents.

Location: Clayton, Victoria
Salary: $82k to $93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of up to 3 years
Job ref: 58735

To be successful you will have:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as materials science or in organic, polymer or analytical chemistry. 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.
• Demonstrated strong expertise in organic or polymer chemistry.
• Demonstrated strong experience in bioanalytical approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise in microbiology.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

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.