Research Officer

• Full-time
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Based at La Trobe University’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus
• Work with inspiring people who are driven to make a difference!

About the position

This position falls within the Barley Net Blotch Consortium (BNBC) funded by the Grains Research Development Corporation as part of Program 3 led by La Trobe University – Micro-phenotyping: Digital phenotyping for enhanced disease resistance outcomes. The BNBC is a partnership between University of Queensland, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEEC), Queensland Department of Agriculture and Food, SARDI and La Trobe University.

We focus on barley disease resistance genetics and the development of digital fungal disease phenotyping research and innovation mainly in genetics, crop immunity, microscopy and mode of action studies. Our vision is to facilitate development of sustainable agri-food systems powered by durable disease resistance mechanisms to enhance grain production and reduce the reliance on fungicides and increase resilience to new emerging virulent strains of the fungus.

This position will work as part of a collaborative team to develop improved genetic resistance to fungal foliar pathogens in cereal grain crops. 

Skills and Experience

• Completion of a PhD in plant pathology, plant microbe interactions, digital agriculture, plant disease phenomics or closely related field.
• Experience working with fungal plant pathogen interactions.
• Experience and skills in statistical genetics, bioinformatics or image analysis.
• Experience and skills in microscopy (e.g. fluorescence), command-line coding and/or image analysis (i.e. RGB camera).
• An interest in the technical development and troubleshooting in phenomics equipment.

Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

Welcome to Bundoora campus – Please click on the video link below: 

https://f.io/KDo0ceng

Benefits:

• 17% employer contributed superannuation
• On site child care facilities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

How to apply

Closing date:  By 11:55pm, Sunday 7th April 2024.

Position Enquiries: Peter Dracatos via email [email protected]

Recruitment Enquiries: Lisa White via email [email protected]  

Position Description below:

 PD – Research-Officer.pdf

Only candidates with Full Working Rights in Australia may apply for this position.

Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:

• Cover letter;
• An up to date resume; and
• A separate document addressing each bullet point under the Essential Criteria ‘Skills and knowledge required for the position’, which is located in the position description.

Please scroll down to apply.

Please note this position has a proposed start date of 3/6/24.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005.  If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.