Jobs

There are currently 2 job vacancies.

Research Associate (REF: 2969)

A world-leading centre for proteomics approaches to plant science

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology includes seven research teams and approximately 70 research scientists across three Australian universities that are undertaking research into cell function and metabolism using functional genomics approaches in the model plant, Arabidopsis. The Centre has state-of-the-art equipment for microarray, proteomics and metabolomics approaches and major resources for plant genetics, imaging and computing and is building national and international partnerships in plant science and technology.

Role Statement

As the appointee you will undertake innovative laboratory-based research on nitrogen use efficiency using proteomic approaches aimed at publication in international research journals. You will be supervised by Professor Harvey Millar (UWA) and collaborate closely with the other chief investigators on the project from ANU and UoA, and personnel from the Industry Partner.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Design, execute and analyse research on proteomic approaches to understanding nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Set up reliable and reproducible experimental systems to produce samples from wheat, barley and rice samples grown at UWA or from collaborators to use in experiments.
  • Work closely with computer science collaborators in building databases of mass spectra for analysis of nitrogen use efficiency and identification of proteins.
  • Keep records and follow procedures required by the partners in an ARC Linkage project.
  • Help maintain and troubleshoot issues in the mass spectrometry facility in collaboration with other researchers and the manufactures.
  • Help maintain and troubleshoot issues in the mass spectrometry facility in collaboration with other researchers and the manufactures.
  • Other duties as directed.

Benefits

  • 2 year appointment
  • Salary range: Level A $51,895 - $70,424 p.a. - minimum starting salary for appointee with PhD will be $68,018 p.a.
  • Plus 17% superannuation
  • Closing date: Friday, 27 November 2009
Download CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS POSITION.

Research Associate (REF: 2963)

MOLECULAR MODE OF ACTION OF KARRIKINS IN PLANTS

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology includes seven research teams and approximately 70 research scientists across three Australian universities that are undertaking research into cell function and metabolism using functional genomics approaches in the model plant, Arabidopsis. The Centre has state-of-the-art equipment for microarray, proteomics and metabolomics approaches and major resources for plant genetics, imaging and computing and is building national and international partnerships in plant science and technology.

Role Statement

A postdoctoral research associate position is available to study the molecular mode of action of karrikins. Karrikins are a new family of plant growth regulators discovered in smoke with potent germination-stimulating activity in many species. We have established that both seed germination and post-germinative light-dependent responses of Arabidopsis thaliana are sensitive to karrikins, and have now identified karrikin response mutants through several genetic screens. This is an exciting, emerging research area which offers great opportunities for new discoveries and career development. This position will involve genetic mapping of karrikin response mutants, reverse genetic analysis of karrikin-responsive genes and molecular/biochemical characterisation of cloned genes. Applicants must have a PhD in plant genetics, molecular biology or related discipline. The appointee will carry out research in the Smith laboratory but will also be part of a multi-disciplinary team including chemists at UWA and plant ecologists at Kings Park Botanic Garden in Perth. This is a new and important research area which offers great opportunities for new discoveries and career development.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Plan genetic approaches to discover genes involved in the perception, signaling and metabolism of karrikins.
  • Conduct genetic analysis to investigate relationship of karrikin signaling to that of plant hormones and environmental signaling.
  • Conduct experiments to analyse functions of proteins involved in karrikin action.
  • Conduct joint experiments with chemists and biochemists to investigate metabolism and natural occurrence of karrikins.

Benefits

  • 2.5 year appointment
  • Salary range: Level A $51,895 - $70,424 p.a. - minimum starting salary for appointee with PhD will be $68,018 p.a.
  • Closing date: Friday, 4 December 2009
Download CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS POSITION.

Interested in a Postgraduate/Honours Research Program with us?

To ascertain suitability:

Email one of our people (below), and tell us what you've done so far. Ask them to let you know if it seems like a good plan to apply based on your progress so far, to apply. Should you proceed with an application, ensure that your contact consents to you naming them on your application form.

To apply:

Having ascertained suitability, in order to formally apply you must go through one of the Universities specifically, this will depend on where your proposed supervisor is based.

Postgraduate Research Degrees:

There are two generally types available:

  • Private Self-Supporting Students
  • Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Honours Programs:

Please make contact directly with us, to discuss if this is the path of research for you.

 

Interested in a Research Associate or Post-doctoral postion with us?

Do you want to join an innovative, productive and integrated research groups working on plant signalling, organelle differentiation and function, metabolism, respiration, photosynthesis and oxidative stress tolerance? The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology is an ambitious new enterprise incorporating seven teams at The University of Western Australia, The Australian National University and The University of Sydney.

The Centre is undertaking fundamental research relating to organelle function and plant metabolism in model plants using functional genomics and has excellent plant growth and imaging facilities, plus state-of-the-art equipment for transcript, protein and metabolite profiling. Applications are invited from suitably qualified researchers to work on a range of integrated projects in the Centre (including established researchers looking to learn new approaches during a sabbatical, postdoctoral and mid-career researchers looking for 2 year positions, further employment will be dependent on the requirements of the Centre).

For additional information email plantenergy@uwa.edu.au or contact one of the laboratory leaders directly:

The University of Western Australia

Prof Ian Small (iansmall@cyllene.uwa.edu.au)
Prof Jim Whelan (seamus@cyllene.uwa.edu.au)
Prof Harvey Millar (hmillar@cyllene.uwa.edu.au)
Prof Steven Smith (ssmith@cyllene.uwa.edu.au)

The Australian National University

Prof Murray Badger (murray.badger@anu.edu.au)
A/Prof Barry Pogson (barry.pogson@anu.edu.au)

The University of Sydney

Prof David Day (dday@usyd.edu.au)