Research Assistant - Crawley, Australia - University Of Western Australia

University Of Western Australia

Verified Company

Crawley, Australia

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Olivia Brown

beBee Recruiter

Description

Contribute to advancing our crop research with your molecular biology skills and work with scientists on genomics and disease resistance

Flexible working arrangements, parttime (0.5FTE or more) available for consideration
Level 5, fulltime appointment on a fixedterm basis for 3 years
Base salary range: $76,422 $84,705.00 p.a. (prorata) plus 17% superannuation

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities.

With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia's top university.

About the team

The School of Biological Sciences is internationally recognised for its strong teaching programmes in the natural sciences and biology and has an enviable research track record.

The School has broad expertise across marine biology, ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, computational biology, plant and animal physiology, and genomics.

The School also leads UWA's program in Science Communication. Our research programmes involve a diverse array of taxa, from microbes through animals and plants.

The Batley lab studies genetics and genomics on a range of crop, plant and pathogen species, including canola, Brassica species, subterranean clover, soybean, wheat, banana and chickpea.

Research projects include identification and functional characterisation of blackleg disease resistance genes in canola, investigating the role of structural variation in the Brassica genomes, specifically in relation to disease resistance and understanding the evolution of disease resistance genes.

A new project, funded through a prestigious Australian Research Council Laureate aims to further this research through characterising evolution of resistance genes across the plant kingdom.

In conjunction with this our lab continues to work on development of genomes and pan genomes.

About the opportunity

In this position, you will assist with research projects investigating plant-pathogen interactions and the evolution of disease-resistance genes in Brassicas and other crops.

This includes project planning, executing glasshouse/phytotron experiments, laboratory molecular techniques, conducting data analysis and interpretation and preparing scientific manuscripts for publication.

Additionally, you will work closely with the laboratory manager to perform laboratory management and organisation tasks.

You will play a pivotal role in conducting cutting-edge research to decipher the genetic basis of disease resistance in crops and their wild relatives.

Your responsibilities will encompass a blend of computational analysis, laboratory experimentation, and data interpretation, all aimed at advancing our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions.

About You
You will possess strong organisational skills, and efficiently multi-tasking to meet project deadlines. Your excellent interpersonal and communication skills will enhance teamwork in our collaborative research environment.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will demonstrate:

Advanced molecular biology skills
Substantial relevant experience in writing scientific manuscripts and reports
Proficiency in molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, phenotyping, and genotyping
Experience in working in glasshouses/phytotrons to grow plants and conduct experiments
Strong analytical skills and familiarity with statistical methods for biological data analysis
Prior experience in plantpathogen interactions or crop genetics research is desirable
Experience in plant genomics and mining of genomics data is desirable
Experience in genomic analysis and bioinformatics tools is desirable

Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description: PD - Research Assistant

The content of your Resume and Cover Letter should demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Friday, 21 June 2024
This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity
UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace.

We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution.

We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.

We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
We have Athena SWAN Br