• Are you an early career scientist with interest in the impact of rust diseases on wheat production?
• Do you have, or will shortly obtain, a PhD in molecular plant pathogen interactions?
• Join our Rust Resistance Research Group within CSIRO Agriculture & Food

The Position
CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and, in this case, have less than three years and nine months relevant postdoctoral work experience. 

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with Dr Peter Dodds as part of the rust resistance research group, whose goals are to prevent losses in wheat production due to the impact of rust diseases. Understanding the fundamental aspects of plant immunity, is a key component of the research program. The Fellow’s research will investigate structural and functional characteristics of plant immune receptors and pathogen effectors.  The group has made important contributions to this field working on the flax rust model system, but recent identification of several stem rust resistance genes from wheat and corresponding effectors from wheat stem rust pathogen, provides opportunities to extend our understanding to important genes that are currently being used in wheat breeding for disease protection.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be part of a large multidisciplinary team at CSIRO Agriculture & Food involving collaborators at the Australian National University and the University of Queensland conducting research at the leading edge of the field of plant disease resistance and with a strong record of high impact publications. The Postdoctoral Fellow will benefit from working within a world leading team and through exposure to a broad scientific context spanning the spectrum from basic biology to applied delivery of science research to achieve industry outcomes.

Your duties will include:

Under the direction of senior research scientists and engineers, the CERC Postdoctoral Fellow will:

• Carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Contribute to a research program aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of wheat rust resistance.
• Undertake regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.
• Communicate results through regular team meetings and group level presentations.
• Prepare appropriate conference papers and present those at conferences as agreed with the supervisor.

Location:      Black Mountain, ACT
Salary:           AU$82k- AU$93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:         2 years and 3 months
Reference:    60540

To be successful you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as molecular plant pathogen interactions.  Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years and nine months (or part time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Detailed knowledge and research experience in molecular plant-pathogen interactions.
• Experience in applying structural and/or molecular biology approaches to investigate protein function in the context of their contribution to overall biological processes.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including publishing in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, and presenting at national and/or international conferences.

For details about who to contact and for more information please view the Position Description

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.

Flexible Working Arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance

About CSIRO
At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment. 

Apply Online
To apply online, please provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.

Applications Close at 10.59 AEST 21 April 2019