Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Computational Biology

• $77,114 to $104,637
• Fixed-term, full-time
• Translational Research Institute

• Reference number: 24119
• Term: Fixed-term, full-time for 36 months
• Remuneration: $91,258 to $123,829 pa (LEVA) (inclusive of $77,114 to $104,637 salary pa, 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading)
• Location: Translational Research Institute
• Open to: Current staff members of QUT who have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of the fixed-term appointment. In support of our strategic priority of Indigenous Australian success, Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people who are not QUT staff are also eligible and encouraged to apply. Please note that current staff wishing to be considered for secondment to this position must seek prior approval from their supervisor before submitting an application.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Computational Biology to join School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Academic Division.

The successful candidate will work in an NHMRC funded-project to tackle antibiotic resistance. This is a part of the larger SEARCHER Consortium which, in addition to the QUT team, includes participants from several European countries, Nigeria, and Pakistan. SEARCHER aims to characterise emergent antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment with the ultimate aim of protecting human health.
At QUT, our focus will be on the development of novel computational methods to predict which environmental ARGs pose the largest threat to human health. Towards this, we will develop methods to link ARGs to mobile elements such as plasmids. These methods will then be applied to large collections of genomes and metagenomes that are available publicly and those collected as part of SEARCHER. In that context, we will also collect samples locally at sites of interest.

About us

QUT is a major Australian university with a global outlook and a ‘real world’ focus. We are an ambitious and collaborative institution that seeks to equip our students and graduates with the skills they will need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged world.

The Centre for Microbiome Research was established in 2020 by Professor Gene Tyson, an expert in the field of microbial ecology. Professor Tyson and his team are actively involved in the development of innovative culture-independent molecular approaches and bioinformatic tools, and their application to answer important questions about microbial communities across a range of ecosystems. The team is made up of researchers with diverse expertise within microbial ecology and genomics, providing an intellectually robust and collaborative environment. The Centre is located within the Translational Research Institute (TRI), a unique multidisciplinary facility located at the Princess Alexandra hospital with a strong focus on translational research. This positions the team amongst top researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplines such as genomics, bioinformatics, immunology, oncology and gastroenterology, and provides the team with access to state-of-the-art core facilities. The Centre also has a dedicated PC2-certified laboratory fully equipped for molecular biology that includes an in-house white light laser confocal microscope (Leica), a PromethION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) and access to a NovaSeq 6000 (Illumina). The Centre has a BD FACSAria Fusion fluorescence activated cell sorter with small particle detection and liquid handling robots for single cell genomic and culturing work, and maintains anaerobic culture and quarantine facilities. CMR houses its own high-performance computing resources consisting of >1,000 cores and 9 nodes. The operation of these facilities is supported by professional staff for microscopy, flow cytometry, sequencing and bioinformatics..

What you need to succeed

Relevant doctoral training and demonstrated scientific productivity as evidenced by factors such as publications (including preprints), and conference presentations.

Ability to develop novel research software, including designing new methods and their implementation in code.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, along with the proven ability to autonomously organise and prioritise tasks and workflows to meet project deadlines.

High-level communication skills, including clear and effective verbal communication, demonstrated written communication skills.

Life at QUT

We’re committed to building a culture that fosters connection between people and purpose. Beyond personal and professional fulfillment, a career at QUT offers:

• A healthy work-life balance with a blend of on-campus and off-campus work arrangements for applicable positions.
• Competitive remuneration with up to 17% superannuation.
• Generous maternity leave including primary carer parental leave of up to 26 weeks (including 17% super).
• Stay healthy with Fitness Passport and enjoy discounted rates on private health insurance.
• Leave loading of 17.5%.
• Purchased Leave Scheme – up to 8 extra weeks.
• Salary Packaging Scheme for additional superannuation contributions, vehicle leasing, and on-campus services such as childcare, parking, and gyms.
• Numerous opportunities for professional development including leadership programs and workshops, and our study assistance scheme.
• Commitment to our Indigenous Australian staff through initiatives such as the Indigenous Australian Staff Network, Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Staff Development Workshops, and representation on university committees.
• We see diversity and inclusion as our strengths.
• Explore more benefits of life at QUT .

In support of our

Indigenous Australians Employment Strategy

, we aspire to an Indigenous Australian workforce participation of 3.6% and we encourage Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people to join us in pursuing a fulfilling career. 

We believe in creating safe spaces for inclusivity to flourish and we know that diversity is our strength –

see our commitment

. If you’re curious, innovative, and ready to experience what a career at QUT can offer, we’re ready to meet you.  

Job opens: 16-Feb-2024

Applications Close: 10-Mar-2024 at 11.30pm

Find out more and apply by clicking Apply or the link below.

View the job details at: https://qut.nga.net.au/?jati=B453FA73-42F8-D9FA-3643-DA79AFA1E0A4

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