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The Opportunity

• Research Projects Officer in Experimental Insect Functional Biology opportunity in CSIRO’s Environment Business Unit
• Contribute to understanding and enhancing biotransformation pathways in insects and insect-associated microbiomes
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO’s Environment Business Unit brings together our capabilities in marine, atmospheric, water and terrestrial environment disciplines, as well as significant social and economic research, to align and support the nation in creating a better and more sustainable future.

We are seeking a Research Projects Officer to work with researchers in the Industry Environments Program and support research to understand and enhance biotransformation pathways in insects and insect-associated microbiomes. 

You will create and maintain insect colonies in a range of relevant species and assist with the design and performing of experiments involving insects and microbial communities.  A demonstrated ability to perform molecular biology and data analysis tasks will be a distinct advantage. 

This role would suit someone wishing to work part time at 0.5 FTE. 

Your duties will include:

• Designing and implementing experimental procedures to create and maintain insect colonies, including axenic and gnotobiotic insects, for scientific research as directed.
• Designing and performing straightforward experiments, sample collection and routine laboratory analyses.
• Working with Team members to help design data recording and entry systems.
• Working with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work team’s plan and plan ahead to meet experimental and/or project demands.

Location:      Canberra (Black Mountain), ACT

Salary:           AU$68,148 - AU$86,733 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:         Specified Term of 3 years, Part time (0.5 FTE)

Reference:   95594

To be considered you will need:

Essential

Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• Relevant bachelor’s degree in Genetics, Microbiology or Biochemistry
• Relevant work experience in Insect Functional Biology, Insect Biochemistry or Insect-Related Microbiology.
• Demonstrated practical experience maintaining insect colonies, especially black solider flies, beetles and moths, for scientific research under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in performing scientific research on insects including experimental design, creating and maintaining axenic and/or gnotobiotic insects, and dissections.
• Demonstrated experience in Molecular Biology laboratory techniques including extraction of DNA, RNA, proteins and small molecules (metabolites), and appropriate QC methods. 

Desirable

Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics or experimental data analysis. Experience in Microbiology or insect-microbiome interactions would be advantageous.

For full details about the role please view the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents only.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

Friday 2nd February 2024, 11:00pm AEST