CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Modelling Advanced In Vitro Organ Models

• Contribute to research in the prevention, detection and response to exotic disease threats
• Collaborative, flexible, innovative workplace that values you and your career development
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s premier research organisation 

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

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The opportunity

• Contribute to research in the prevention, detection and response to exotic disease threats
• Collaborative, flexible, innovative workplace that values you and your career development
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s premier research organisation 

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.
An opportunity exists for two innovative and creative early career researchers to join a team of scientists at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) to develop advanced in vitro organ models to answer key challenges in infectious disease research. Working closely with the Science Leader of Advanced Ex Vivo Biosystems and other team members, you will adopt recent developments in 3D tissue culture technologies for modelling brain or immune systems and leverage new developments in the field of infectious disease affecting poultry, swine and cattle.
The CERC Fellows will focus on establishing in vitro organ models of either the brain or the immune system to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and immune responses for a broad range of diseases. Specific attention will be given to diseases of high consequence and increasing concern to Australia’s agricultural and aquatic industries, such as Avian Influenza, Lumpy skin disease, African swine fever and African horse sickness. The development of in vitro organ models and techniques will support vaccine and drug development programs at CSIRO.

Your duties will include:

• Carrying out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Developing in vitro organ models by co-culturing different cell types, such as cell lines, stem cells, or dissociated cells from harvested animal tissues. These models should be characterised by their defined, repeatable, and scalable nature, proving relevant to diseases and suitable for health and disease investigations.
• Developing in vitro organ models focusing on one of the following areas, noting the ultimate aim is to apply these organ models in microfluidic 3D cell culture systems for infectious disease studies and ensure adherence to strict biosafety and biosecurity regulations at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).- the brain (particularly neurovascular unit in avian and swine) or- the immune system (especially lymph node and tonsil in swine).
• Utilising design thinking methodology to plan and prepare research proposals and apply non-academic impact methodology to research projects.
• Carrying out research investigations requiring originality, creativity and innovation.

Location:  Geelong, VIC (Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness)Salary:  AU$96k – AU$105k plus up to 15.4% superannuationTenure:  Specified term of 3 yearsReference:  97042

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as neuroscience, medical science, biotechnology, biomedical engineering or bioengineering. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience with mammalian or avian cell culture techniques and experience with dissociating cells from harvested tissues.
• Experience with advanced cell culture systems for co-culture of different cell types, such as 3D cell culture, transwell system and/or organ-on-a-chip culture.
• Experience in cell characterisation skills for genetic and phenotypic properties, such as one or more of the following, DNA/RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, confocal microscope imaging, imaging analysis, tissue section, immunostaining, and biochemical assays.
• Publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only. Appointment to this role is subject to the ability to obtain a national security clearance at Negative Vetting 1 level and is subject to other security/medical/character requirements specific to the ACDP/AAHL facility.

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.
CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.
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

Apply for this Job