Research Officer, Molecular Innovation

Job Description

About the Role

 

This permanent, full time role is based in our offices in Forrest Hall, UWA, Perth.

The Research Officer, Molecular Innovation will design and develop new approaches to enrich for rare biomolecular signatures from marine environmental samples. The postholder does not require a background in marine sciences but will understand how to label and enrich for a diversity of targets from complex sample types. They will have a solid foundation in the development of cellular tagging and sorting approaches including design and validation of novel probes, and/or in single cell genomics. They will be confident testing and implementing novel molecular biological methods as well as troubleshooting, optimising and validating new protocols at the bench. Experience in 1) probe design and labelling in heterogenous, mixed cell types, 2) flow cytometric analyses and sorting of labelled cells, and/or 3) singe-cell sequencing is desired.

The Research Officer will lead their own lab work and peer-reviewed publications, generate ideas for molecular study design and optimisation of workflows, and contribute more broadly across our research projects on biodiversity monitoring, marine resource and ecosystem management. They will be based in the new OceanOmics Centre at the University of Western Australia and work collaboratively with international partners at the Bigelow Laboratories in Maine, USA and others.

The appointee will work with scientists to create new genomics tools using environmental DNA, to achieve our research objectives in marine conservation. They will work within a diverse team and coordinate to complement work, add value and maximise outputs to innovate the field of environmental genomics.

This role involves international travel, so a desire to train and work in the US and knowledge transfer training to colleagues is essential. Interpersonal skills as a character strength and successful outcomes from collaborative, multidisciplinary research is desired. The appointee will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with the OceanOmics team as well as with external collaborators and stakeholders.

The work duties of the Research Officer, Molecular Innovation include:

• Lead the development of technological solutions that add value and impact to the OceanOmics vision of eDNA-based solutions for marine ecosystem surveys
• Innovate in cell-based techniques to identify and enrich specific biomolecular signatures from mixed sample types to best address the program’s biodiversity monitoring, marine ecology and conservation questions
• Design and develop molecular-based tools to enhance cellular enrichment of specific taxa or groups
• Train staff in the application of new techniques
• Contribute to the provision of datasets, preparation of scientific papers, reports and outreach material
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within the OceanOmics team, and across Minderoo’s initiatives

Other duties specific to this role as required by the line manager

Qualifications

About You

Essential qualifications and skills include:

• PhD in a relevant discipline, such as cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, genetics or molecular ecology or an equivalent combination of experience and education/training in the development and/or design of molecular assays and techniques for relevant applications
• Three years experience in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, genetics or molecular ecology
• Driven to meet the OceanOmics program’s vision in marine ecosystem conservation and resource management
• Expertise in the design, development and optimisation of molecular biological techniques to answer science questions
• Experience with next generation (massively parallel) DNA sequencing
• Success in molecular ecology or microbiome research, as evidenced by research outputs
• Excellent communication skills and multidisciplinary working
• Ability to work effectively both independently, without supervision, and as part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team
• Highly developed organisational skills, with demonstrable success in working to deadlines and with numerous priorities
• Ability to travel internationally for training and knowledge transfer
• Be self-directed, forward & creative thinker, pro-active and have a ‘can-do’ attitude

Desirable:

• Success in the design and development of innovative molecular techniques
• Experience in development and application of immunological assays for cell identification, including cell labelling and sorting
• Experience analysing large sequencing datasets

Additional Information

Next Steps

Please attach your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are up for the challenge!

Applications close: 14 March 2023

Tattarang and Minderoo Foundation embraces Equal Opportunity and promotes diversity. We actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, men and women of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and People with Disability to apply.