Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Apply your bioinformatics and computational biology skills across industry-supported research projects
• Make an impact in the future of sustainable agriculture
• Join CSIRO, Australia’s premier scientific research organisation

The role of a bioinformatician in CSIRO is to conduct innovative research leading to scientific achievements that are aligned with CSIRO’s strategies. 

This role will deliver research outcomes to the CSIRO cotton breeding program, a breeding program with a research and development pipeline from understanding the molecular basis of traits of interest through to commercial variety delivery. 

As part of several industry-supported research projects, we are undertaking a large-scale genomic prediction and phenomic analysis of commercial cotton varieties across a suite of traits. 
 

We are looking for a computational biologist specialising in genome informatics that can develop and utilize computational approaches to analyse genomic and transcriptomic datasets, with a particular emphasis on next generation DNA and RNA sequencing, its application to genotype by sequencing, genome assembly and annotation , through to gene network-analysis and use in genomic prediction models for improving breeding accuracy.

Your duties will include:

• Assemble and annotate genomes using short read, long read and Hi-C datasets.
• Identify sequence and structural variation between different cotton varieties.
• Identify differentially expressed genes associated with various cotton traits using newly generated and public developmental RNA-seq data sets.
• Construct gene correlation networks based on differentially expressed genes relevant to targeted traits.
• Incorporate differentially expressed genes and/or gene networks into genomic prediction models. Carry out data driven research investigations, requiring originality, creativity and innovation. 
• Present results in a meaningful format, prepare reports for clients and/or write scientific papers for publication.  
• Communicate openly, effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
• Other duties as directed.  

Location: Canberra, ACT.  Other locations negotiable for exceptional candidates.

Salary: AU$105,806 - AU$114,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
+ up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years / Full-time

Reference: 95291

To be considered you will need:

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

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant field such as bioinformatics and computational biology.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative, and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
• Extensive skills and experience in programmatic/command line handling, processing and analyses of sequencing data.
• Knowledge of/Skills in statistical genomic models.

Desirable

• An ability to implement and customise software packages to generate workflows for genomic selection analysis in plants or animals.
• Knowledge of genetics. 
• Skills in high-dimensional data visualization.
• Experience with version control (git) and workflow management software (e.g. Nextflow, Snakemake).
• Experience developing and/or applying ML/AI approaches for biology. 
• Experience in data management and the application of FAIR Data principles to scientific data.
• Interest/curiosity about biological phenomena for example cotton fibre quality and disease resistance.
• Aptitude/willingness to work across multiple projects.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to all candidates.

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

Monday 19th February 2024, 11:00pm AEDT.