Postdoctoral Researcher Molecular Biology

Classification: Academic Level A
Salary package: $80,914 – $101,560 per annum plus 17% superannuation.
Term: Fulltime, Continuing (Contingent Funding) up to 12 months 

The Position
The Postdoctoral Fellow / Associate Lecturer will be a member of Research School of Biology, accountable to Professor Colin Jackson and Director of the School. The Postdoctoral Fellow / Associate Lecturer will be expected to work collegially, leading by example to develop and maintain effective, productive and beneficial workplace relationships within the all-academic and professional School and College staff, students and honorary appointees, as well as with industry stakeholders.  This position will also have a mentoring role for students and will engage in collegial and productive collaborations with local, national and where possible, international colleagues.

The Person
We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to lead investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of new protein functions through the resurrection and characterization of ancestral molecules that date back millions of years. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research with the long-term goal of designing novel proteins for applications in bioremediation, sustainable industrial practices, pharmaceutical development, and molecular tools for research communities.

Responsibilities:

Ancestral Protein Resurrection:

• Design and implement strategies for resurrecting ancestral proteins through bioinformatic tools and recombinant protein expression.

Functional Evolution Studies:

• Investigate the molecular mechanisms driving the evolution of new protein functions.
• Conduct comprehensive biochemical and biophysical assays to understand the functional adaptations of ancestral proteins over time.

Application-Oriented Research:

• Work towards the application of insights gained to design and engineer novel proteins with specific functions relevant to bioremediation, sustainable industry, and pharmaceutical development.

Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Research:

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate findings into broader research initiatives.
• Share expertise and collaborate with researchers working on related projects.

Communication and Dissemination:

• Present research findings at conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Expertise in protein biochemistry, molecular evolution, and structural biology.
• Strong background in molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression, and biochemical characterization.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools for ancestral sequence reconstruction is desirable.

The College
The ANU College of Science  encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres.  Staff and students within the ANU College of Science conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities. 

To find out more about the Science at ANU community, follow us on social media at Instagram  and Facebook

For further information please contact, Colin Jackson, E: [email protected]. 
ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.  For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here . For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact the hiring manager on the above listed details.

Application information
In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process.  An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.