CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Veterinary Virology - [Archived Advertisement]

Acknowledgment of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our?vision towards reconciliation.

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD (or will shortly obtain a PhD) in virology?
• Keen to get involved in increasing Australia’s preparedness and responsiveness to biosecurity megashocks?
• Join our CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Team for this exciting postdoctoral opportunity

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.

Since the first detection of RHDV2 in Australia in 2015, an astounding six novel recombinant variants have emerged! This project aims to further define the frequency of recombination in the calicivirus model and the drivers of epidemiological fitness, using our ex vivo organoid culture system, our established rabbit infection model, and emerging genomic sequencing methods. Could we then harness fitter recombinant variants as future rabbit biocontrol strains? The CERC Fellow will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills in advanced organoid cell cultures, animal models of infection, and next generation sequencing and bioinformatics methods. The CERC Fellow will also establish effective networks by working with a diverse and multidisciplinary collaborative team.

Your duties will include:

• Conduct in vivo and ex vivo infection studies to explore mechanisms and barriers to recombination in rabbit caliciviruses.
• Establish a reverse genetics system for rabbit caliciviruses to investigate the mechanisms driving fitness in these viruses.
• Undertake genomic surveillance and phylogenetic analyses of naturally circulating rabbit caliciviruses to monitor for the emergence of new variants.
• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.

Location: Black Mountain, ACT
Salary:   AU$89k - AU$98k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:   Specified term of 3 years
Reference:  79861

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as Virology.  Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in Molecular Virology.
• Demonstrated experience using reverse genetics systems to investigate the fundamental biology of viruses.
• 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

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

To be eligible for this role, you must be an Australian/New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or Australian temporary resident currently residing in Australia and be able to commence in the role by 30 June 2022.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent. Additional integrity checks may be required for specific roles which require security clearance for working with children, Australian Government cybersecurity requirements or other identified security roles.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

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

30 January 2022, 11:00pm AEDT