• Are you an early career scientist with a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science or Biomedical Science?
• Research the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections
• Develop and test novel antimicrobial coating platforms

The Position

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. 

All medical devices are associated with infections. However, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are particularly problematic as they are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Here, the project will exploit the extensive experience of the research team to develop novel antimicrobial coatings that provide long-term protection against microbial colonisation.

The postdoctoral fellow will answer several important scientific questions and develop key platform capabilities. These include establishing a comprehensive understanding of host-pathogen-catheter interactions, synthesising hydrophobic oligomers and polymers carrying antimicrobial drugs providing broad spectrum activity, and developing textured coatings that provide effective protection against microbial colonisation over a clinically meaningful time frame.

Your duties will include:

Under the direction of senior research scientists and engineers:

• Develop novel antimicrobial coating platforms and test their performance in vitro and in vivo.
• Undertake regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.
• Produce high quality scientific reports suitable for publication in quality journals, for client reports and patent applications.
• Prepare high quality presentations and present these at internal meetings or at conferences as agreed with the supervisor.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO.

Location:      Clayton, Victoria
Salary:          AU$83k- AU$94k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:         3 years
Reference:   61636

To be successful you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Chemistry, Materials Science, Biomedical Science or related disciplines.  Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated experience in organic and polymer chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience in surface modification and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in microbial culture methods.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.

For details about who to contact and for more information please view the Position Description

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.

Flexible Working Arrangements

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. Balance

About CSIRO

At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment. 

Apply Online

To apply online, please provide a CV and cover letter together with a statement addressing the selection criteria.

Applications Close at 10.59 AEST 19 June 2019