Acknowledgement 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

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in virology, microbiology, or molecular biology or a similar field?
• Want to contribute to research in the prevention, detection and response to exotic disease threats?
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

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 undertake research to develop superinfection exclusion strategies to control mosquito-borne infections with broadly outlined objectives. The CERC Fellow will sit within a larger vector-borne disease team with a focus on utilising novel technologies to reduce the burden of mosquito transmitted infectious disease in Australia. Specifically, you will investigate the mechanisms of superinfection exclusion to use as a tool for viral control in Australian mosquitoes. It is expected that you will drive this project under broad supervision of mentors and collaborators. The fellow will also further develop and contribute to new projects that fit with the overarching strategy of the research group.

This position will be based within the high containment (PC3) laboratories at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) facility. ACDP (formerly known as the Australian Animal Health Laboratory) helps protect Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock and aquaculture industries, and the general public, from emerging infectious disease threats. It is a high-containment facility designed to allow scientific research into the most dangerous infectious agents in the world.

Your duties will include:

• Drive the research project to develop superinfection exclusion strategies to control mosquito-borne infections with broadly outlined objectives. This will involve literature searches, developing a viable project, and productive collaborations. 
• Characterisation of a range of viruses by assessing their replication in both cell culture and in live mosquitoes. 
• Work within a larger team to carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes. 
• Recognise and exploit opportunities for innovation and the generation of new theoretical perspectives, and progress opportunities for the further development or creation of new lines of research.

Location:  Geelong, VIC
Salary:  AU$92k - AU$101k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Specified term of 3 years
Reference:  93508

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, microbiology, or molecular biology. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques including real-time PCR and molecular cloning.
• 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.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Australian temporary residents currently residing in Australia who either hold, or are able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements, including Security Assessment/Microbiological Security Requirements for Personnel Working on the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) Site.

Candidates are expected to commence employment by 31 January 2024.

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. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research,engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

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

4 September 2023, 11:00pm AEST