Avian Immunology postdoctoral research opportunity at USA

An Avian Immunology postdoctoral research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (SEPRL) in Athens, GA. The selected applicant will participate in research on avian immunology as it relates to infection and protection against avian influenza virus.

To be eligible, applicants must have received a doctorate degree in an area related to immunology or infectious diseases within five years of the desired starting date. Relevant fields include immunology, virology, infectious diseases, and molecular biology.

The ideal candidate will have experience with animal models of infectious diseases and specific experience with poultry, virology, and influenza research.

In addition to excellent verbal and written communication skills, required previous experience includes:

• Flow cytometry
• Immunofluorescence staining
• Confocal microscopy
• Molecular cloning
• RRT-PCR
• Cell culture
• Standard microbiological techniques
• Animal handling skills

BSL-3 laboratory experience is desirable as this position requires work in a biocontainment laboratory. Candidates must have the ability to read and write English.

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with ARS, this position requires a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

For additional information about the ARS Postdoctoral Research Program, please visithttp://www.orise.orau.gov/usda-ars.

To apply: An application can be found at http://orise.orau.gov/usda-ars/applicants/application.htm. Please reference Project # ARS-SEPRL-2013-0010 in your application and when calling or writing for information.

Contact: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Attn: ARS Postdoctoral Research Program, MS-36, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Questions: Ms. Elizabeth Nelson, Phone: 865-574-0781, Fax: 865-576-4197, E-mail:usda-ars@orau.org.

Please contact usda-ars@orau.org with questions.

Web address of Department or Division - http://www.orise.orau.gov/usda-ars/applicants/current-research-opportunities.aspx

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

OCE Postdoctoral Fellowship – Host genome engineering and the gut microbime

• 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