Postdoctoral Fellowship – CSOF4

Role summary for potential applicants

Advertised Job Title: / Postdoctoral Fellowship Anaerobic Biochemist
Reference Number: / 46562
Classification: / CSOF4
Salary Range: / AU $80K to AU $91K plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Location: / Canberra (Black Mountain), ACT, Australia
Tenure: / Specified Term of 2 years
Relocation assistance: / Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.
Applications are open to: / Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
For Specified Term positions, we will accept applications from Temporary Residents with working rights for the length of the term, who do not require sponsorship.
Functional Area: / Research Scientist / Engineer - Postdoc
% Client Focus - Internal: / 80%
% Client Focus - External: / 20%
Reports to the: / Team Leader
Number of Direct Reports: / 0
Role Overview:
Postdoctoral Fellowships at CSIRO provide opportunities to scientists and engineers, who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships will help launch their careers, provide experience that will enhance their career prospects, and facilitate the recruitment and development of potential leaders for CSIRO.
Postdoctoral Fellows will work closely with a leading Research Scientist or Engineer in their respective field. They carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. They present the findings in appropriate publications and at conferences.
This new Postdoctoral Fellow position is required to develop a range of anaerobic biochemical techniques specific for the extraction of naturally occurring and synthetically engineered nitrogenase enzymes and components under strict anaerobic conditions. Extractions of synthetically engineered nitrogenase as expressed in plants and other eukaryotic systems is needed to characterise the complete biogenesis of engineered nitrogenase and its assembly from numerous individual components. Nitrogenase is a metalloprotein that is very oxygen sensitive and also involves a range of unique metallo-clusters for function. Understanding the assembly and insertion of metallo-clusters into engineered nitrogenase is a critical component of engineering nitrogenase into plants.
The PDF will join an existing team spanning plant molecular biology, metabolic engineering, computer modelling, and analytical biochemistry. The PDF will enjoy access to world leaders in plant metabolic engineering and modern instrumentation.
Applicants are encouraged to look at the following resources that outline the project, including a video (https://vimeo.com/207743788) and publication http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpls.2017.00287/full).
Duties and Key Result Areas:
·  Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
·  Development of anaerobic techniques specific for the isolation of metalloproteins, and specifically the oxygen sensitive components of nitrogenase.
·  Conduct a range of nitrogenase functional assays using components isolated from naturally occurring and synthetic pathways engineered into plants and other eukaryotes.
·  Interaction with team members, spanning a range of disciplines.
·  Maintain excellent laboratory notes and other documents for intellectual property.
·  Generate reports and presentations suitable for publications, patents, and conferences.
·  Provide supervision to technical staff and students associated with the project.
·  Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and ideas for further research.
·  Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
The successful candidate will also join CSIRO’s postdoctoral training program as developed between the Postdoctoral Fellow and a CSIRO scientist. The program will focus on enhancing the Fellows’ capabilities to the level expected of an independent researcher and will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing, professional growth, project management, communication and influencing skills, and collaborating within teams.
http://www.csiro.au/en/Careers/Student-and-graduate-programs/Postdoctoral-fellowships
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisites:
1.  Education/Qualifications: A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as biochemistry and molecular biology.
Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 4 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
2.  Communication: High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent results clearly and appropriate to the audience for publications or presentations.
3.  Publications: A record of publications in quality, peer reviewed journals.
4.  Behaviours: A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.
Essential Criteria:
1.  Demonstrated expertise in anaerobic biochemistry including enzymology and molecular biology of oxygen sensitive metalloproteins.
2.  Demonstrated expertise in metalloprotein formation using isolated extracts.
3.  Demonstrated expertise in protein detection under native and denatured conditions.
4.  The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.
5.  A record of science innovation and creativity, plus the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
Desirable Criteria:
1.  Demonstrated expertise in the biochemistry and biogenesis of nitrogenase.
2.  Demonstrated expertise in the isolation of functional metalloprotein subunits from bacterial preparations.
3.  Experience with experimentation under anaerobic conditions.
4.  Experience working within diverse teams.
CSIRO Values:
As Australia’s Innovation Catalyst, CSIRO has strategic actions underpinned by behaviours aligned to Excellent science, Inclusion, trust & respect, Health, safety & environment and Deliver on commitments. In your application and at interview you will need to demonstrate alignment with these behaviours.
To be appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO, candidates are required to have submitted their PhD at the time of commencement, as a minimum requirement, if PhD conferment has not been obtained. If a candidate has submitted, but their PhD has not yet been formally attained, the starting salary will be CSOF4-1($80,833). Upon CSIRO receiving written confirmation that the PhD has been awarded (within a six month period from commencement date), the salary will be increased to the negotiated level and the difference will be back-paid to the Officer’s start date.
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers.To apply for this position you will need to include a short response to each of the Essential Criteria as listed above. This document should be no more than two pages in total and will need to be submitted together with your CV/Resume as one document. Keep your application succinct and do not attach images or photos.
DO NOT attach any additional documents at either “Eligibility or Additional documents” points.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email: .
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact:
Dr Craig Wood via email: or phone: +61 2 6246 5065
Do not email your application directly to Dr Wood. Applications received via this method will not be considered.
About CSIRO
Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments, industries, business and communities across the nation.
Find out more! www.csiro.au.
CSIRO Agriculture and Food is helping Australian farmers and industry improve productivity and sustainability across the agriculture sector. The Agriculture and Food business unit will conduct research to impact on the whole value chain from paddock to plate by focussing on the following challenges:
·  crop improvement
·  livestock and aquaculture genetic improvement
·  farming systems for productivity and sustainability
·  interactions between agriculture and the environment; climate change, adaptation and mitigation; science for health soils
·  global food security and development.
What this position at CSIRO offers you
The PDF will perform a key role in an existing multidisciplinary team focused on making plants self-sufficient for nitrogen supply and alleviate the global reliance on chemical N fertiliser. The applicant will have access to expert scientists, spanning gene discovery and deployment into products, as well as experienced technicians and world-class instrumentation in newly-appointed laboratories. Based in Canberra, the applicant will enjoy the advantages of a well-planned city nestled within a beautiful Australian bush environment being close to the famous beaches of the southern NSW coast, mountains with winter snowfields, and award-winning wineries. The PDF will have every opportunity to travel and develop professional networks to achieve ambitious goals and enhance the positive impact of their science.