POSITION DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
ACTINOBACTERIAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Vacancy Reference No:
11382
Major Cost Centre:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:
Medical Biotechnology (Flinders Medical Science &
Technology), School of Medicine
Classification:
Higher Education Officer Level 5
Salary Range:
$55,168 to $61,061 pa full-time
Superannuation:
Employer contribution of 9% of salary
Total Remuneration
Package:
$60,133 to $66,556 pa full-time
The total remuneration package includes salary and
employer superannuation contributions.
Employment Type:
Fixed-term, part-time (0.6 FTE until February 2013)
Probation:
It is standard University practice to apply a probationary
period to all appointments.
Supervisor (Title):
Professor of Biotechnology
Closing date:
11.00 am Monday, 30 January 2012
KEY PURPOSE
The successful applicant will assist with research activities in a collaborative project
funded by Horticulture Australia aiming to develop microbial resources to improve the
environmental sustainability of potato production in Australia. This project will
develop beneficial microorganisms, to control diseases of potato plants, which may
have one of a number of modes of action of plant disease suppression through
production of antibiotics or induced resistance, or plant root stimulation through
production of phytohormones.
ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Flinders Medical Science and Technology (FMST) is a strategic multidisciplinary
collaboration that delivers excellence in training, research and community service
across a range of medical sciences. It comprises a cluster of nine disciplines (Anatomy
and Histology, Clinical Pharmacology, Human Physiology, Immunology, Allergy and
Arthritis, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Biotechnology, Microbiology and Infectious
Diseases and Neurology) within the School of Medicine. Staff of FMST have a strong
history of collaboration, both between disciplines and between basic and clinical
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sciences. Major research strengths include: molecular and cellular neuroscience, drug
metabolism and drug metabolising enzymes, biotechnology (drug discovery,
genotoxicity, molecular bioprocessing, reproductive toxicology) and autoimmune
diseases.
Staff of FMST primarily contribute to teaching in the Graduate Entry Medical Program
and degree courses in Medical Science (Bachelor of Medical Science) and
Biotechnology (Bachelor and Master of Biotechnology).
Further information regarding FMST can be found at:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/medicine/sites/medical-science-and-technology/medicalscience-and-technology_home.cfm
The Department of Medical Biotechnology has 4 academic staff, 10 professional staff
and approximately 25 research students- PhD, Masters and Honours - and is involved
in administering postgraduate and undergraduate teaching programs. It is a research
active department with collaborations both within and external to the University. The
department has fortnightly research meetings and holds a departmental seminar every
quarter. The department encourages staff training and attendance at staff
development courses and scientific conferences.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTCOMES
The key responsibilities identified for this position are:
 Under general direction of the academic staff, execute experiments in the HAL
Potato Research Program aimed at developing new microbial resources for the
Australian potato industry.
 Assist in the development of new protocols and follow established protocols for
the application of actinomycete microorganisms, especially endophytes, for
biocontrol purposes.
 Carry out in vitro and in planta assays for the selection of microorganisms that
control pathogens of potato crop plants.
 Carry out mode of action studies to determine the function of active strains.
These include evaluation of antibiotic production, growth promotion, induction of
systemic resistance, and studies of plant colonisation.
 Assist in the propagation, field evaluation and testing of selected strains in
collaboration with external research partners.
 Maintain written records and analyse experimental data.
 Provide administration support, such as ordering of research materials, and
project reporting.
 Interact as part of a research team, collect and process data and assist in the
preparation of research data for reports and publication.
 Provide assistance to related projects as required by the supervisor.
Staff responsibilities may be varied by the University in order to allow the University to
respond to operational needs or requirements.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The incumbent will determine her/his own priorities and operate within the framework of
established policies and work systems. Specific outcomes will be reviewed.
SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO OTHERS
No direct supervision of staff or students.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent will report directly to Professor Chris Franco, the Project Leader and
will work with staff in Medical Biotechnology to ensure the efficient running of
research labs in the department. The incumbent will be fully engaged in the HAL
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Potato Research Program and will interact closely with other members of the team at
Flinders which will include Honours and Masters coursework students and external
researchers at the University of Tasmania and the Victorian Department of Primary
Industries who are part of the multi-institution project team.
UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS
All staff are expected to:
 contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of the team or work unit in order
to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and
professional workplace behaviours, providing assistance to team members if
required and undertaking other key responsibilities or activities as directed by
one’s supervisor;
 perform their responsibilities in a manner which reflects and responds to
continuous improvement; and
 familiarise themselves and comply with the University’s Occupational Health and
Safety and Equal Opportunity policies.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Compliance with the requirement to sign a non-disclosure agreement and Intellectual
Property (IP) assignment agreement with the University is required due to the
commercial nature of the project. IP counselling will be provided as per standard
University policy for staff.
SELECTION CRITERIA
(Note for intending applicants – applicants should address each selection criterion
individually and should argue their case by citing evidence to support their claims
rather than presenting a list of facts only.)
Essential criteria
1. Bachelor degree or equivalent, with Research in Biotechnology, Microbiology,
Agricultural science, or Medical Sciences with relevant experience.
2. Demonstrated research experience in microbiology or cell culture, especially in
their growth and maintenance.
3. Demonstrated research experience with cultivation and analysis of plants.
4. Demonstrated experience in carrying out biochemical and chemical analyses.
5. Demonstrated ability to collect and analyse experimental data.
6. Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and provide project
administration support.
7. Well developed written and verbal communication skills, in terms of writing and
presenting scientific reports.
8. Possess a car driver’s licence valid in South Australia
Desirable criteria
1. Demonstrated ability to interact with external institutional partners.
2. Demonstrated experience in carrying out glasshouse and field trials.
SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
Candidates will be evaluated on merit against all of the various components that make
up this Position Description. Assessment will take into account all information that is
determined to be appropriate, e.g. written application, qualifications, interview, work
samples, skills testing and referee reports.
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The final decision regarding appointment to this position will be based on an
assessment of the requirements of the total Position Description.
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STAFF
All intending applicants should read the Essential Information for Applicants, available
at url: http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/app.php. If you are unable to access this
information on the website, please contact the contact person nominated below.
Information about Flinders University, living and working in Adelaide and employment
at the University is available at url: http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/why-workflinders/why-work-flinders_home.cfm.
CONTACT DETAILS
For further information about the position contact: Professor Chris Franco by email:
Chris.Franco@flinders.edu.au; or telephone: 61 8 7221 8554; or contact
Mr Raymond Tham by email: raymond.tham@flinders.edu.au; or telephone:
61 8 7221 8552, Mobile: 61 422 275 937
Candidates are encouraged to discuss the position with the contact person before
sending in a written application.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
E-recruitment is the method by which Flinders University now manages its recruitment
process. Applications should be lodged on-line at Jobs@Flinders at url:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment. For details of the on-line application process,
please refer to Jobs@Flinders - How to Apply available at url:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/apply.cfm.
Please do not forward applications to the Contact Person.
Name of Authorising Officer: Professor Chris Franco
Name of Authorising Officer in Human Resources:
Anita Abraham
Date of last update: December 2011
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