Research Fellow in Veterinary Herpesviruses

Job no: 0061565
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term for 3 years
Faculty: Science
Department/School: Melbourne Veterinary School
Salary: Level A – $80,258 – $108,906 p.a.  (*PhD entry level $101,460 p.a.) plus 17% super

• Join a collaborative research project investigating veterinary viral pathogenesis, viral evolution, and vaccine development strategies!
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a three-year postdoctoral position at the Melbourne Veterinary School focuses on researching veterinary herpesviruses, including those affecting birds and marsupials.

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in laboratory virology, molecular biology, transcriptomics, in vivo infection studies, and vaccine development and testing.

Under the supervision of Prof Joanne Devlin and in collaboration with A Prof Carol Hartley at the Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health (APCAH), the successful applicant will investigate the pathogenesis of herpesviruses in animal hosts, study viral evolution in different systems, and contribute to vaccine development strategies aimed at disease prevention.

Candidates seeking part-time or flexible work arrangements are encouraged to apply.

Your responsibilities will include:

• You are expected to significantly contribute towards the research effort of the team and to develop your research expertise with an increasing degree of autonomy.
• Under the guidance and support of Senior Academic staff conduct internationally competitive research, resulting in publications in high impact journals.
• Contribute to and publish academic papers and other scholarly outputs to a high academic standard in accordance with the research expectations of the University of Melbourne
• Actively participate in research seminars and conferences to disseminate research findings as opportunities arise.
• Contribute to the preparation, or where appropriate individual preparation of research proposal submissions to internal or external funding bodies as relevant.
• Contribute to and assist in the co-supervision and training of research students, including graduate researchers.

Who We Are Looking For
You will possess demonstrated expertise in veterinary herpesvirus transcriptomics, molecular biology, and infection studies across in vitro and in vivo systems, along with proven experience in veterinary herpesvirus vaccine development.

Moreover, your track record should reflect successful collaboration with external stakeholders and commercial partners to advance vaccine development and registration processes.

You demonstrate strong research aptitude with a sound publication record, aligning with experience, and the ability to complete research projects under limited supervision.

You will also have:

• Completion (or near completion) of a PhD in Veterinary Herpesviruses or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in veterinary herpesvirus transcriptomics, molecular biology and herpesvirus infection studies in in vitro and in vivo systems.
• Demonstrated experience in veterinary herpesvirus vaccine development and testing to meet Australian vaccine registration requirements.
• Demonstrated experience working with external stakeholders and commercial partners to progress vaccine development and registration.
• A demonstrated aptitude for research, with a sound publication record in relevant areas, commensurate with experience and opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare research reports and manuscripts for publication.
• Strong evidence of ability and desire to build an academic research career trajectory.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn’t have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is unavailable. 

Your New Team – Melbourne Veterinary School
The Melbourne Veterinary School is a highy ranked veterinary school with a proud tradition of excellence in research, education, and leadership. The Melbourne Veterinary School has research strengths in animal diseases, zoonotic infectious diseases, production animal systems (including dairy and red meat) and animal welfare. The Melbourne Veterinary School provides the only professional entry veterinary medicine program in Victoria and covers a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects across veterinary science with Australia’s premiere graduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, which is nationally and internationally accredited by VSAAC, RCVS and the AVMA COE.

What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits  page!

About the University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website  and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .   

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at [email protected] , with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled “Reasonable Adjustments Request”.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• The responses against the following Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
  • Completion (or near completion) of a PhD in Veterinary Herpesviruses or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience in veterinary herpesvirus transcriptomics, molecular biology and herpesvirus infection studies in in vitro and in vivo systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in veterinary herpesvirus vaccine development and testing to meet Australian vaccine registration requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience working with external stakeholders and commercial partners to progress vaccine development and registration.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the Position Description.

Applications close: 3 MARCH 2024 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)

Position Description: 0061565_Research Fellow, Veterinary Herpesviruses_PD.pdf

Position Description