Research Officer, Environmental Dna (edna)

Job Description

About the Role

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

The Research Officer, Environmental DNA will drive the development of novel approaches to advance the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for marine biodiversity measurement and management. This will include the improvement of current metabarcoding workflows, design of target enrichment and background depletion strategies as well as scaling and automating of such procedures. The appointee will be confident testing and implementing novel molecular methods as well as troubleshooting, optimising and validating new protocols and assays at the bench. Experience in 1) development of new approaches to gain more from eDNA data, 2) troubleshooting and optimising novel protocols and assays, and/or 3) innovative methodologies from environmental samples is required.

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 work within a diverse team and coordinate to complement work, add value and maximise outputs to innovate in the field of environmental genomics.

They will be based in the new OceanOmics Centre at the University of Western Australia and work collaboratively with partners across Australia and internationally.

The work duties of the Research Officer, Environmental DNA 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 molecular biology techniques to identify and enrich specific biomolecular signatures from mixed sequence data
• Advancement of molecular methodologies for eDNA to best address the program’s biodiversity monitoring, marine ecology and conservation questions
• Design and develop genome-enabled tools to enhance our eDNA based analyses 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 Head of Research

Qualifications

About You

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.

Essential skills and experience for this role include:

• PhD in a relevant discipline, such as genomics, genetics or molecular ecology or an equivalent combination of experience and education/training in the development of molecular assays and tools for relevant applications
• A minimum of three years experience in genomics, 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 using difficult or non-traditional sample types
• Success in molecular research, as evidenced by research outputs
• Experience with next generation (massively parallel) DNA sequencing
• Knowledge and confidence with QA/QC pertaining to molecular biology
• Success in multidisciplinary working
• Excellent communication skills
• Highly developed organisational skills, with demonstrable success in working to deadlines and with numerous priorities
• Ability to work effectively both independently, without supervision, and as part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team
• Be self-directed, forward & creative thinker, pro-active and have a ‘can-do’ attitude

Desirable

• Demonstrated ability to analyse large sequencing datasets.
• Experience working at sea

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.