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 molecular biology, plant science/agricultural biology?
• Work closely with a high-profile team of successful and internationally recognised scientists.
• Join CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food team in this 3-year 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.

CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food team is seeking a CERC Fellow to join a successful, internationally recognised team of scientists, each with a proven track record of generating and publishing high-profile interdisciplinary research. The interdisciplinary team comprises of expertise in plant genetics, plant gene silencing or RNA interference and pest/pathogen biology and perform research that aims to improve crop production and pest management.

Cotton crops are susceptible to fungal pathogens such as verticillium and fusarium which can impact cotton yield and industry return.  In this position the CERC Fellow will investigate alternative forms of fungal control using RNAi interference.  They will identify target fungal genes, design and prepare different RNAi constructs, use model plant species to investigate the effectiveness of the RNAi designs for inhibiting fungal growth and generate transgenic cotton lines with the selected RNAi construct.  The CERC Fellow will also be expected to communicate their findings in publications, conferences and to external clients.

Your duties will include:

• Using molecular techniques such as cloning, real-time PCR, and Northern blot hybridization, to investigate effect of RNAi on fungal control.
• Undertake tissue culture to develop transgenic model plants and cotton. 
• Grow and maintain transgenic plants. 
• Perform fungal infections of plants to assess fungal resistance.
• Present results in a meaningful format, prepare reports for clients and/or write scientific papers for publication. 
• Lead 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$92k - AU$101k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 93582

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as molecular biology, plant science/Agricultural biology. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Solid background in fungal pathogens or RNA interference.
• Demonstrated molecular biology experience including cloning and RNA analysis.
• 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

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

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

8 September 2023, 11:00pm AEST