- Highly innovative host biology project
- Excellent development opportunity within a large multi-faceted organisation
- Join our team at CSIRO – Australia’s premier science & technology research organisation!
The Position: The aim of this project is to study the impact on colonisation and amplification of food borne pathogens, particularly Campylobacter and Salmonella, by direct modification of host factors with precision genome engineering tools. This will be conducted in the real food production animal (the chicken) rather than by translation from a model animal system such as the mouse, which have no relevance to industry. The impact of food borne pathogens on the Australian economy amounts to $1.2 billion per annum.
Specifically you will:
- Analyse research literature to select candidate genes that will impact on host interaction with microbiome. Design and implement strategies using precision genome engineering to knock-out candidate gene.
- Assess the feasibility of using genome engineered chicken cell lines to examine the interaction between bacterial pathogens and host cells.
- Develop a line of knock-out chickens and assess the impact of the gene knock-out on the microbial composition of the gut flora using metagenomics approaches.
- Study the impact of gene knock-out host on the ability for pathogenic bacteria (Clostridia, Listeria, Salmonella) to colonise and propagate.
- Write scientific papers for peer-reviewed international journals, and present research findings at conferences.
- Participate in CSIRO postdoctoral training program
Location: Geelong, Victoria Salary: AU$78K – $86K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation Tenure: 36 months Reference: VIC13/03735
To be successful in this position you will need:
- A Ph.D with a strong background in microbiology, molecular biology, or cellular biology is required. Candidates for this position must have high quality first author publications from their Ph. D. work.
- A demonstrated track record in microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, or in an equivalent scientific discipline with excellent written and oral communication skills, in the form of scientific papers in peer-reviewed international journals and conference presentations
- Demonstrated high level skills in molecular biology techniques and/or microbiome compositional analysis;
- Demonstrated ability to analyse information, make independent, correct and timely decisions to achieve project goals and to contribute to the develop collaborations;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision while contributing to overall team performance and proven ability to meet performance deadlines during the course of the project;
- Ability to work with a broad range of people from varying research backgrounds and evidence of strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to publish the results of scientific research in scientific journals
To Apply
For further information and to apply online please visit our website at www.csiro.au/careers choose “Positions Vacant” then “Job Search” and insert Reference Number VIC13/03735 where indicated.
Applications Close: 31 October 2013 (11:30pm AEST)
Employer
CSIRO
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is one of the largest and most diverse scientific organisations in the world. By igniting the creative spirit of our people, we deliver great science and innovative solutions that benefit industry, society and the environment. For more information, please visit our website at www.csiro.au