Virologist - Port Melbourne, Australia - Macro Recruitment

    Macro Recruitment
    Macro Recruitment Port Melbourne, Australia

    1 week ago

    Default job background
    Full time
    Description

    3-year contract within the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). For an experienced Virologist or Molecular Biologist interested in developing a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test targeting pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes and the like.

    • Requires expertise in molecular biology techniques and Australian Citizenship (for security clearance reasons).
    • Hourly rate depends on experience.
    • Fishermans Bend, Victoria.

    Your overall objective is:

    • The growth and maintenance of cell lines and virus stocks.
    • Test and evaluation of diagnostic and detection platforms to inform Defence projects.

    A normal day includes:

    • Growth and maintenance of cell lines.
    • Propagation, harvesting of arboviruses (PC2 and PC3), molecular techniques such as RNA extractions, quantification (e.g., qPCR, TCID50, plaque assays etc.), virus sequencing.
    • Test and evaluation of point-of-care diagnostic and detection assays.
    • Contribution to writing reports as required.Communication with external collaborators.
    • Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills with an ability to work independently or as part of a small team under general direction.

    About the project:
    The Biological Defence Group within the Sensors and Effectors Division of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) requires a contractor with relevant experience to undertake work within their Biological Agent Detection team.
    The team is contributing to a collaborative project developing a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test targeting specifically identified pathogens.
    The assays developed will be tested and evaluated at DST using viral material prepared at DST.

    You'll need:
    We seek a contractor with experience working with viruses, preferably arthropod-transmitted viruses (arboviruses) at PC2 level.
    Skills in molecular biology techniques such as qPCR and isothermal assays, serological techniques such as TCID50 or virus neutralization, and experience handling different sample types (e.g., human clinical and infected mosquito samples) are essential.
    Previous experience working in a diagnostic setting or a NATA-accredited laboratory, and/or in a PC3 laboratory is highly desirable but not essential.
    Australian Citizenship is essential.