CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mosquito Smart Traps - [Archived Advertisement]

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

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in biomedical sciences, infectious diseases, entomology, or other related disciplines?
• Do you have experience or a keen interest in infectious diseases?
• Join the CSIRO Health and Biosecurity Team for this exciting 3 year Geelong-based postdoctoral fellowship

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

In a warming and more connected climate, mosquito-borne diseases have been spreading to previously unaffected areas, as evidenced by the recent Australian incursion of Japanese encephalitis virus. Surveillance of mosquitoes and their pathogens is an important first step in disease prevention but is rarely used effectively because traditional methods are costly, labour-intensive, and often generate only low returns. Technological advancements in rapid point-of-care testing for pathogen detection and in autonomous data capture technology provide the opportunity to develop ‘smart traps’ with automated, in situ pathogen detection capabilities, which would transform surveillance. 

The CERC Fellow will focus on developing point-of-care style biosensors for the detection of significant mosquito-borne pathogens and the incorporation of these biosensors into mosquito traps. Working with an interdisciplinary team including virologists, entomologists and microfluidics experts, the CERC Fellow will also investigate the incorporation of autonomous data capture devices and data transfer technology into these ‘smart traps’ and assess potential commercialisation pathways.

Your duties will include:

• Developing point-of-care assays for significant mosquito-borne pathogens.  
• Collaborating across disciplines to incorporate these assays into a novel CSIRO-developed mosquito trap and developing further automation.
• Exploring potential commercialisation pathways for mosquito ‘smart traps’.
• Carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes. 

Location: Geelong, Victoria
Salary: AU$92k - AU$101k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Reference: 90739

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as biomedical sciences, infectious diseases, entomology, or other related disciplines. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience in developing innovative technologies and/or assays for field/laboratory use.
• Practical experience or an interest in infectious diseases.
• Experience working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and Australian Temporary Residents currently residing in Australia.  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. 

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

31 January 2023, 11:00pm AEDT