Employment Opportunities
Please note that positions are listed in order of nominal closing date. Positions whose closing dates are approaching will be at the top of the list, but note that positions without a specified closing date are listed separately at the bottom of this list. Job numbers appear before each entry, identifying chronological order of inclusion on this page.
Enquiries can be directed to
No. 228
LECTURER – PLANT BIOLOGIST
School of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne
Salary: Level B, $72,414 — $85,990 p.a. plus employer superannuation contributions of 17%.
The School of Botany is seeking an outstanding plant scientist at Level B. Preferred areas include cell and molecular biology, developmental and evolutionary biology, functional biology or biotechnology. It is expected that the successful appointee will have skills in molecular plant biology applied in an area that will complement one or more of the current research groups within the School. The School provides an outstanding environment for creative multi-disciplinary research, including state-of-the-art technologies.
Applicants should have postdoctoral research experience with demonstrated productivity and evidence of potential for independent research, including the attraction of research and/or fellowship funding. The applicant also should have demonstrated potential and commitment to teaching and knowledge transfer, in line with the University’s strategic plan, articulated in Growing Esteem.
This position is available from early 2009.
Closing date: 26th November 2008.
How to Apply: Your application should address the selection criteria. To obtain the position description, selection criteria, information about the application process, please click on the link below.
For further information contact Prof. Pauline Ladiges, tel. 03 83445067,
Downloads: position description and selection criteria; information on the School of Botany, Growing Esteem, and The University of Melbourne.
Closing date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
No. 227
Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Post Doctoral/Fellowship Scientific Research
CSIRO Plant Industry ,Canberra, ACT.
Reference Number: 2008/1088
Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Division: CSIRO Plant Industry
Location: Canberra, ACT
Classification: CSOF4
Salary Range: 63K to 72K plus superannuation
Tenure: Term — 3 years
Applicants: International Applicants Welcome
Applications Close: 28 Nov 2008
Job Category:
Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical
Post Doctoral/Fellowship
Scientific Research
Applications are invited for a three year Postdoctoral fellowship in the Plant Disease Resistance group at CSIRO Plant Industry Canberra. The fellow will join a multidisciplinary research team investigating the molecular basis of gene-for-gene and adult plant rust resistance in model systems and in cereals. We recently cloned the Lr34 adult plant rust resistance gene from wheat, in collaboration with the University of Zurich; the gene operates by a novel mechanism. We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to contribute to the investigation of the cellular biology of the Lr34 resistance protein and its role in adult plant disease resistance. The project provides an excellent opportunity for the fellow to make ground-breaking research into a disease resistance gene that has remained effective for over half a century in commercial agriculture. This research will provide critical basic science information that underpins the molecular basis of durable disease resistance. As part of the project the fellow will be engaged in collaborative links with the Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich.Candidates should have obtained, or will shortly satisfy the requirements for a PhD degree in molecular biology/biochemistry or a relevant discipline. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
•Plan and implement experiments to investigate the molecular, cellular and biochemical responses in wheat-rust interactions controlled by the multi-pathogen resistance gene Lr34/Yr18/Pm38
•Input into the basic and strategic research direction of the Plant Disease Resistance Group.
•Liaise closely with other team members and collaborators to share information and expertise on adult plant disease resistance.
•Prepare and present oral and written reports and publications as required.
•Contribute to the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interaction in the research program.
•Develop innovative concepts, tools and techniques for analysis of broad spectrum disease resistance in wheat
•Generate protein expression constructs for wheat Lr34 resistance protein and fragments thereof.
•Express and purify Lr34 resistance protein or fragments thereof for analysis of cellular localization and Lr34 mediated resistance.
•Undertake transcript and protein expression analysis of Lr34 genetic stocks in seedling and adult plants.
•Prepare gene silencing constructs and coordinate with external collaborators in characterizing biotic/abiotic responses mediated by Lr34 gene family.
•Strong commitment to team based and multidisciplinary research.
•Commitment to scientific research excellence.
•Strong motivational skills and integration of basic and applied research.
•Understanding and commitment to code of conduct, health, safety and environment (HS&E).
1.PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry or a relevant discipline.
2.Documented research in plant-pathogen interaction research or cell biology.
3.Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively as a member of a project team and to network with scientific colleagues.
4.Demonstrated ability to meet milestone and reporting deadlines during the course of a project.
5.Evidence of good communication skills and ability to publish the results of scientific research in scientific journals and/or industry reports.
1.Research experience in the study of biotrophic pathogen-host interaction or other pathosystems/stress response signalling.
2.Research experience in the development and use of transcript/protein fusion constructs in cellular localisation.
3.Experience in the use of genomic and/or proteomic/metabolomic technology platforms.
Before you apply ensure that your documents are in Text, MS Word or PDF. Ensure your file is not larger than 1MB in PDF format, or 2MB for all other formats. Your Documents will be converted into PDF format. To view these documents once converted you will need to download Adobe Reader Download Adobe Reader .
CSIRO prefers applications be lodged online via this careers site. You are required to include two documents:
(1) A document Addressing the "Selection Criteria" and
(2) A "Resume or CV" including the names of at least two referees.
Note: Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 and someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email:
If you are unable to lodge your application online, please fax your application (quoting reference number 2008/1088 to +61 2 6246 4455 or alternatively post to:
CSIRO Careers Online
PO Box 225
DICKSON ACT 2602
Contact: Should, after reading the position information, you require more information on this position please contact Evans Lagudah by email or 02 6246 5392.
Closing date: Friday, November 28, 2008
No. 222
OCE Postgraduate Scholarship 2008 — Grapevine Carbohydrate Dynamics — Implications for Irrigation Management
CSIRO Plant Industry, Adelaide
We require a highly motivated PhD student to carry out research aimed at providing a sound knowledge-base of the distribution of assimilated carbon in grapevines and how this is affected by irrigation management, climate and vine genotype. Manipulating the ability of a grapevine to produce a crop of acceptable quality and quantity at a predictable time is the primary aim of most vineyard managers. Irrigation management is the most common mechanism for achieving this, but there is a trade-off between crop size and quality. Furthermore, this trade off will be altered by our changing climate, which is already impacting crop quality through effects on vine physiology. We are also beginning to realise that grape varieties can have vastly different responses to water stress and that these have the potential to influence the long-term net acquisition of carbon. However, the implications for sustainable crop production and irrigation management are at this stage unknown. This project will use a whole season, whole vine approach in the field and make use of the latest technologies to examine carbon distribution both above and belowground. The position is located at the CSIRO Plant Industry Urrbrae Laboratories in Adelaide. The student will be enrolled at the University of Adelaide for the award of the doctoral degree. The studentship will also be integrated into a larger Grape and Wine Research Development Corporation funded project to be run through the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide. For more information, or to apply, please go to: https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2008%2F1008
Closing date: Sunday, November 30, 2008
No. 229
PhD Scholarship in Plant Physiology
School of Agricultural Sciences and School of Chemistry, University of Tasmania, Hobart.
A PhD scholarship has been funded by an ARC Discovery grant to A/Prof Sergey Shabala (School of Agricultural Sciences) and Dr Rosanne Guijt (School of Chemistry) to work on the novel approach to study mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants using Lab on a Chip technology. The scholarship offers a stipend of $20,007pa with a top-up of $6,140pa for up to three years with a possible six month extension. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by both Chief Investigators and will be working on a cutting edge project by applying the recent advances in analytical chemistry and separation science to address some fundamental questions about mechanisms of Na+ transport in plants and plant breeding for salt tolerance.
Sustainable agricultural production in Australia and elsewhere in the world is significantly affected by salinity, causing billion dollars losses to farmers. One of the major constraints for such a decline in crop production is sodium toxicity. Understanding mechanisms of Na+ uptake, transport and compartmentation between various plant tissues and organelles is therefore paramount to overcoming this problem. Until now, the progress in the area was significantly handicapped by the lack of appropriate techniques allowing in planta measurements of rapid Na+ flux kinetics across plant membranes. In this project, a highly selective Na+ “microchip” will be produced using recent advances in microtechnology and separation science, and then applied to address a range of fundamental physiological questions related to mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants. The project will be undertaken in a close collaboration with several leading international laboratories in UK, Mexico and Denmark.
The successful candidate is expected to obtain sound knowledge of plant biology and to develop a wide range of practical laboratory skills. Some basic knowledge of chemistry is desirable, although not compulsory, as extensive on-job training will be provided. It is expected that the candidate will spend the first year in the School of Chemistry designing, fabricating and rigorously testing the novel Na+ measuring “chip” and then move to the School of Agricultural Science for the next two years to apply this technique to study mechanisms of Na+ transport and compartmentation in plant tissues. To be successful in multidisciplinary and innovative project, a high level of creativity and excellent problem solving skills are required.
Applicants must be eligible for admission to the PhD program at the University of Tasmania and are expected to hold a first class or high 2A honours degree, or equivalent. Applications should include evidence of relevant qualifications and research experience in plant-related disciplines, a list of research publications (if any) together with a curriculum vitae and contact details of two academic/research referees. Candidature should commence no later than the 31st March 2009. Only one scholarship will be offered.
Applications can be downloaded from http://www.research.utas.edu.au/gr/scholarships/domestic_scholarships.htm For further information please contact A/Prof Sergey Shabala by e-mail () or by phone (+61 (03) 62267539). .
Closing date: 10 December 2008
Closing date: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
No. 226
PhD Scholarship — Plant Cell Biology / Wood Science
School of Biological Sciences, Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand
The mechanical properties of wood to be used for timber depend on the physical shape of the plant cells, and cell walls that compose the wood. Various factors can compromise wood quality including the presence of compression wood (typically arising from mechanical stress needed to reorient the stem) and spiral grain (the inclination of wood fibres to the axis of the tree). Our research seeks to investigate the causes of compression wood and spiral grain at the cellular level, and is part of larger wood research programmes being undertaken at the University of Canterbury and Scion (previously New Zealand Forest Research Ltd). This research project will involve analysis of the causes of spiral grain and compression wood in pine, and will involve microscopy (notably confocal microscopy), characterising wood structure at the cellular level, image analysis and mathematical modelling.
A fully-funded three-year PhD scholarship is being provided by Future Forests Research, Ltd to support an investigation into the causes of compromised wood quality in radiata pine. The project will be based in the laboratory of Dr David Collings in the School of Biological Sciences at Canterbury University, and will be co-supervised by Dr Hema Nair, a recently-appointed FRST Research Fellow. The project will also involve collaboration with researchers from the School of Forestry at Canterbury University (Drs John Walker and Luis Apiolaza) and with Dr Jonathan Harrington (SCION, Rotorua).
This project would appeal to a student with the interest and ability to visualise and solve complex problems in three dimensions. The successful candidate will have, or be expected to develop, expertise in microscopy and image analysis and/ or in plant sciences. They will also be self-motivated and capable of working both independently and co-operatively.
This position is available to candidates of any nationality, providing necessary eligibility and visa requirements are met. The university qualification and language requirements for entry into the PhD programme can be found at http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/intstud/admiss/postgrad.shtml A curriculum vitae and cover letter providing the names and contact details for two referees will be required for consideration. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr David Collings (details below) for further information.
The closing date for applications is Friday December 12th 2008 with an expected start early in 2009.
For further enquiries, and to submit your application, contact:
Dr David Collings
School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
phone: +64 (3) 364 2987 ext. 4662
E-mail:
http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/people/collings.shtml