Download Postdoctoral Fellowship - CSOF4

Position Details
Postdoctoral Fellowship – CSOF4
Role summary for potential applicants
Advertised Job Title:
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Reducing mosquito-borne infections using
genetic technology in mosquitoes
Reference Number:
9061
Classification:
CSOF4
Salary Range:
AU $78,479 to AU $88,787 plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Location:
Geelong, Victoria
Tenure:
Specified Term of 3 years
Relocation assistance:
Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.
Australian Citizens Only
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
All Candidates
Applications are open to:

Functional Area:
Research Scientist / Engineer - Postdoc
% Client Focus - Internal:
100%
% Client Focus - External:
0%
Reports to the:
Team leader – Vector-borne Diseases
Number of Direct Reports:
0
Role Overview:
Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers, who have
completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These
fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects,
and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO.
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.
CSIRO Health and Biosecurity is seeking to appoint a postdoctoral fellow to join the vector-borne
diseases team based at Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria. We are looking
for a highly productive, ambitious researcher with a range of complementary skills in arbovirology,
bioinformatics, genetics and molecular biology to contribute to a project to develop strategies for
reducing mosquito-borne infections using CRISPR-Cas9 in mosquitoes. The postdoctoral fellow will apply
her/his skills to identify and test target mosquito genes using precise genome engineering techniques to
reduce their vectorial capacity. The fellow will bring together various expertise, including precise
genome engineering, antiviral immunity and mosquito manipulation to achieve the overall aims.
Duties and Key Result Areas:

Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of
strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific
outcomes. This will include being responsible for driving the project, undertaking experimental
design, data analysis and charting the project’s direction.

Identify mosquito target genes using bioinformatics and cell culture experiments.

Develop strategy to design plasmid cassettes and assess specific insect-specific promoters.

Develop transgenesis capabilities in mosquitoes.

In vitro and in vivo experimentation to validate target activity.

Effectively collaborate with the members of the group and with external partners.

Actively engage in state, national and international conferences as well as deliver seminars or
workshops within CSIRO and externally.

Publish research findings through scientific, technical reports and patents, journal articles, research
proposals and scientific papers, helping ensure high standards of research products and improve
uptake of research outcomes within industry and government.

Assist to build CSIRO’s research reputation for integrated and multi-disciplinary science related to
services through networking activities and advisory roles/tasks.

Contribute to the effective functioning of a research team to help deliver upon CSIRO’s
organisational objectives.

Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of
good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.

Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and
policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.

Undertake an appropriate training and development program developed by CSIRO.
Other duties as directed.

Security Assessment and Microbiological Security Requirements for Personnel Working on the AAHL
Site
The nature of our work requires that each person working on site must comply with the conditions
described below.

The appointee is required to pass a security clearance at a level appropriate to duties of the
position. Confirmation of the appointment is subject to obtaining that clearance.

It is essential that all work on exotic or emerging diseases carried out at AAHL is conducted in a
safe manner to prevent the escape of the disease agents used, and to this end, all activities and
personnel will be subject to appropriate microbiological security measures. Consequently, while
working at AAHL, you may not reside on a property on which are kept any of the following
animals: sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, horses, asses and mules, any other cloven-hoofed animal,
fowls, turkeys, geese, domestic ducks, caged birds, emus or ostriches. Personnel working with
diseases of aquatic animals may not keep aquarium fish at their place of residence and
personnel working with cane toad material must avoid contact with amphibians.

In addition, for a period of seven days after working in the microbiologically secure area of
AAHL, personnel may not have close contact with any of the above animals, amphibians or birds
or the actual places where these animals are held, or visit any aquatic animal farm or aquatic
animal hatchery.

Working in the barrier maintained Small Animal Facility requires avoidance of additional animals
such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and poultry 3 days prior to arrival.

It is usual practice in laboratories where work with infectious disease agents is carried out, to
collect a blood sample from personnel and store serum for future reference. This is a safety
precaution, so that if any person becomes ill in the future, serum samples are available for
testing.

Personnel must abide by Occupational Health, Safety and Environment regulations. Safety signs
and directives issued by CSIRO personnel must be complied with at all times.

Access restrictions apply to the Werribee Animal Health Facility (WAHF) site that is associated
with, but remote from, the AAHL site.

Additional information detailing AAHL's micro-security restrictions can be found at it:
http://www.csiro.au/resources/AAHLStaffRestrictions.html
CSIRO’s postdoctoral training program is developed between the Postdoctoral Fellow and a CSIRO
scientist. The program will focus on enhancing the Fellows’ capabilities to the level expected of an
independent researcher and will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing:
 Discipline-specific techniques and protocols
 Professional growth
 Project management
 Communication and influencing skills
 Working and collaborating with others
http://www.csiro.au/en/Careers/Student-and-graduate-programs/Postdoctoral-fellowships
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisites:
1. Education/Qualifications: A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a
relevant discipline area, such as virology, genetics or molecular biology.
Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral
experience.
2. Communication: 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.
3. Publications: A record of publications in quality, peer reviewed journals.
4. Behaviours: A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative
environment.
Essential Criteria:
1.
Demonstrated ability to conduct innovative research in molecular microbial sciences and/or
genetics.
2. Demonstrated high level of technical skill and ability to develop creative solutions to challenging
technical problems.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop experimental plans and pursue novel research approaches.
4. The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team,
plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
Desirable Criteria:
5.
Research experience in immunity and/or vector-borne diseases.
6.
Research experience in genetics and/or genomic engineering.
7.
Computational and bioinformatic skills.
CSIRO is a values based organisation. You will need to demonstrate behaviours aligned to our values
of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Integrity of Excellent Science
Trust & Respect
Creative Spirit
Delivering on Commitments
Health, Safety & Sustainability
To be appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO, candidates are required to have submitted their
PhD at the time of commencement, as a minimum requirement, if PhD conferment has not been
obtained. If a candidate has submitted, but their PhD has not yet been formally attained, the starting
salary will be CSOF4-1 ($78,479) Upon CSIRO receiving written confirmation that the PhD has been
awarded (within a six month period from commencement date), the salary will be increased to the
negotiated level and the difference will be back-paid to the Officer’s start date.
Other special requirements:
Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including security/medical/character clearance
requirements. Applicants who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to
undergo additional security clearance processes; which may include medical examinations and an
international standardised test of English language proficiency (i.e. IELTS test).http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers. You may be asked to provide additional
information (online) relevant to the selection criteria. If so, then responding will enhance your
application so please take the time to provide relevant succinct answers. Applicants who do not provide
the information when requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 and someone will be able to assist you.
Outside business hours please email: [email protected].
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or
academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact:
Dr Prasad Paradkar via email: [email protected] or phone: +61 3 5227 5462
Please do not email your application directly to Dr. Paradkar. Applications received via this method will
not be considered.
About CSIRO
Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas,
technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments,
industries, business and communities across the nation.
Find out more! www.csiro.au.
CSIRO Health and Biosecurity
Working with our partners, we're assembling strong multidisciplinary research teams to tackle major
national and international health and biosecurity challenges. In doing so we're protecting the health of
our farming sector, environment, people, and our way of life.
CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory
The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) has a national and regional role in the diagnosis
and research of emergency (exotic, emerging and serious) and zoonotic diseases of animals. This
responsibility extends to provision of ongoing analysis of outbreaks, monitoring and characterisation of
the virus strain variation, and assisting in the establishment of disease freedom. To achieve and sustain
diagnostic excellence the Diagnostic function is underpinned by related research efforts. The disciplines
involved in this work include experimental and diagnostic pathology, virology, serology, electron
microscopy, immunology, genomics and molecular biology, all of which may be undertaken under
stringent microbiological security conditions.
Access to both BSL3 and BSL4 containment facilities supports investigations utilising live viruses,
including serious zoonotic agents, in both cell and whole animal systems. The laboratory has an enviable
track record in scientific research related to emerging infectious diseases and outputs from these
activities contribute data to CSIRO’s area of focus around biosecurity within the National Innovation
System.
Find out more about AAHL at: http://www.csiro.au/places/AAHL.html
What CSIRO offers you
The CSIRO-Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Geelong
is a modern regional port city with a Mediterranean climate, and amenities for both outdoor and indoor
recreational activities. It has an outstanding range of schools. Melbourne, the State capital, is readily
accessible by road or rail. The carp biocontrol team at AAHL is small but has been operating for 7 years,
during which time many national and international collaborations have been developed. Professor
Edward Holmes (University of Sydney) will be an enthusiastic collaborator on this project. Access to
world-class staff and facilities in all disciplines associated with infectious disease are available at AAHL,
and we also network with many other local biomedical research organisations.