The Opportunity

• Do you want to conduct impactful research of strategic importance to Australia?
• Incorporate host plant resistance to pests and diseases in the cotton breeding program
• Grow your research career with a CSIRO PhD Fellowship

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience.  These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

In this position you will be the lead researcher for a project titled "Incorporating host plant resistance to pests and diseases in the cotton breeding program. "

The key output from this project is to incorporate host plant resistance traits to verticillium wilt, spider mites and whitefly into advanced lines in the CSIRO cotton breeding program, as well as to improve the methodologies to select for resistance.

As rhe Postdoctoral Fellow in Host Plant Resistance of Cotton with CSIRO Agriculture and Food, you will be based at the Australian Cotton Research Institute (ACRI), Narrabri, in regional New South Wales. ACRI is a welcoming and inclusive environment, with an active social club and relaxed working environment. The site boasts the co-location of CSIRO and NSW Department of Primary Industries research hubs, with employees from a mix of local, interstate and international backgrounds. The positive and inclusive collaborative research work environment reflects the country hospitality you'll experience in the town of Narrabri.

Your duties will include:

• Develop new concepts and methodologies for the identification and classification of host plant resistance in a cotton breeding program.
• Generate new cotton breeding material with resistance to pests and diseases, particularly to Verticillium wilt.
• Design, manage and statically analyse experiments carried out in field, glasshouse and laboratory environments.
• Publishing findings in peer reviewed journals.

Location:  Myall Vale, NSW
Salary:  AU$83k – AU$94k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years
Reference:  65637

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area such as plant breeding or host plant resistance interactions to pests or diseases. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or part-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• A current driver’s licence.
• Proven experience in plant and/or disease and insect interactions.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting field and greenhouse experiments.
• Demonstrated ability in data handling and statistical analysis.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent.

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

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.  Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

8 April 2020, 11:00 pm AEST/AEDT