Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation
Chair in
Human Lactology
Information for candidates
Appointment of
Family Larsson-Rosenquist
Foundation Chair in Human
Lactology
Conten
ts
Introduction | 2
Role, key responsibilities, selection
criteria and conditions of employment | 4
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry | 6
Faculty of Science | 7
The University of Western Australia | 8
Perth, Western Australia | 11
Applications | 12
Faculty of Science
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Western Australia 1
Introduction
by the internationally recognised
Academic Ranking of World
Universities published by China’s
Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Our
success continues a trend that has
seen UWA leap 40 places globally
since 2008.
On behalf of the University of
Western Australia, I welcome your
interest in the Family LarssonRosenquist Foundation Chair in
Human Lactology, created to provide
academic leadership and direction in
world-class fundamental research in
human lactation.
The University is now ranked 4th
in Australia and has a significant
reputation internationally as a result
of being ranked 87th in the world
The University continues to build
on its reputation for excellence and
is a major research contributor in
the medical and health sectors and
other areas that align with national
research and innovation priorities.
This new Chair in the School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry,
the world’s first biochemical
professorship for human lactation
research, provides a challenging and
exciting opportunity for a suitably
qualified person whose research
focus is, or can be directed towards,
gaining a fundamental understanding
of human lactation. We are seeking to
appoint a leading academic to build
be focused in the School of Chemistry
and Biochemistry at UWA, and the
Faculty of Medicine at UZH.
This important new Chair at the
University of Western Australia will
be complemented by a Chair and
supporting positions at the University
of Zürich (UZH) in Switzerland,
also funded by the Family LarssonRosenquist Foundation, with the
two research centres working
collaboratively to advance global
knowledge of breastfeeding and its
long-term health benefits to mothers
and babies. The research centres will
2 chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
The School of Chemistry and
Biochemistry is a comprehensive
research-intensive school that spans
the broad disciplines of biochemistry
and molecular biology, chemistry and
genetics. Housed in the iconic Bayliss
Building on the Crawley campus, it is
responsible for the BSc majors that
fit within its broad discipline base.
The Bayliss Building is somewhat
unique in Australia in co-locating the
research and teaching disciplines of
biochemistry, chemistry, molecular
biology and molecular genetics, as
well as the University’s facilities for
nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray
diffraction and mass spectrometry.
With the establishment of these new
collaborative research centres at
on our strong academic presence in
this discipline and develop a team in
their specific area of interest.
The Professor in Human Lactology
will facilitate linkages to research
projects within the School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry to
benefit from substantial collaborative
opportunities and augment
existing programs.
I invite you to consider the exciting
opportunities available for this
new position in a University with
a reputation for international
excellence and the vitality and
excitement of innovative research in
a 21st century environment.
Professor Paul Johnson
Vice-Chancellor
two of the world’s top 100 universities,
medical practitioners will soon be able
to draw upon new evidence which will
allow them to improve the diagnosis
and treatment of mothers experiencing
breastfeeding difficulties.
The Family Larsson-Rosenquist
Foundation Professor in Human
Lactology will have the opportunity of
making a major impact in the area, and
will play a key role in creating a worldclass team of high quality investigators
focused on human lactation research.
On behalf of the School, I welcome
your application.
Professor Mark Spackman
Head, School of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Scientific opportunities
Perth is a thriving hub of human
lactation research, with several
international leaders in the field. The
University of Western Australia has a
long tradition of lactation research
with the large multidisciplinary group
founded by Emeritus Professor Peter
Hartmann, and currently led by Dr
Donna Geddes. This group uses a
systems approach to investigate milk
synthesis, milk ejection,
milk composition (e.g., appetite
control hormones, micronutrients,
microRNA), mammary anatomy
and function, milk removal during
pumping and feeding, as well as the
physiology of feeding in both the
term and preterm infant. The ability
of the group to combine different
methods of measurement has led to a
cutting edge research program.
fragile preterm infants. In response,
Professors Karen Simmer and
Peter Hartmann set up the Perron
Rotary Express Milk Bank, the first
contemporary human milk bank
since the closure of Australian Milk
Banks in the 1980s in response to the
HIV ‘epidemic’. The bank provides
donor milk for preterm infants whose
mothers are unable produce enough
milk to meet their infant’s needs.
Human milk is considered the optimal
source of protection and nutrition for
Professor Susan Prescott, a
renowned immunologist at UWA,
has long realised the importance
of investigating human milk in the
context of infant allergy and leads
the active Developmental Origins
of Disease Society of Australia and
New Zealand. Similarly Professor
Yvonne Hauck, the first Western
Australian Professor of Midwifery at
King Edward Memorial Hospital, has a
strong breastfeeding research focus.
The Foundation is the first in
the world with a prime focus on
promoting and supporting human
milk and breastfeeding. Based in Zug,
Switzerland, it was founded in 2013
with the aim to promote the scientific
and public recognition of human milk
as the best nutrition for newborns
and infants. It considers itself as
an instigator and promoter of new
knowledge about human milk and
breastfeeding. The foundation invests
globally in projects and scientific
activities in human milk research and
breastfeeding promotion. It places
high value on interdisciplinarity and
sustainable impact for the well-being
of mother and child.
Eminent human lactation researchers,
Professors Colin Binns and Jane
Scott, have exceptional track records
in public health nutrition and
nutritional epidemiology, and are
located at nearby Curtin University.
Several researchers with a focus on
breastfeeding, alcohol and infant
nutritional outcomes are located at
the Telethon Kids Institute.
At the community level, the Australian
Breastfeeding Association is an
extremely active group that supports
mothers and babies during their
lactation, and has a long history
of being involved in local research
projects. Perth also boasts a large
number of lactation consultants that
provide support to breastfeeding
mothers and actively participate in
research in the local area.
The University of Western Australia 3
Role, key
responsibilities,
selection criteria
and conditions of
employment
Key
Research and scholarship
Role
The Family Larsson-Rosenquist
Foundation Chair in Human
Lactology provides an exciting
opportunity for an outstanding
individual whose research focus is,
or can be directed towards, gaining
a fundamental understanding of
human lactation. The School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry is
seeking a person with energy, vision,
leadership and a commitment to
excellence in research and teaching.
The appointee will have an
established research track record
in areas of biochemistry, cell or
molecular biology, cell signalling,
physiology, or the ‘omics’ fields of
study, and will build and lead an
internationally-recognised research
program focused on projects
relevant to human lactation. The
research program will be strongly
supported by Family LarssonRosenquist Foundation funding for a
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and a
PhD Scholarship.
The appointee will contribute to the
undergraduate teaching program
and graduate student training (PhD
and MPhil) within the School. The
position offers the appointee the
unique opportunity to assemble and
lead a team in the development of a
postgraduate accredited course in
human lactation.
responsibi
lities
• Ability to independently build and
• Develop and implement a high
•
•
•
•
•
Selection
criteria
•
•
•
Teaching and learning
• A proven track record and
•
The successful candidate will
demonstrate:
Qualifications and
knowledge
• A PhD and appropriate level of
•
4 chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
quality successful research
program focusing on projects
relevant to human lactation;
Prepare competitive funding
proposals to support and expand
the research program, and publish
outcomes in highly-ranked peerreviewed international journals;
Recruit and supervise additional
graduate research students and
postdoctoral researchers working
on projects relevant to human
lactation;
Lead the strategic initiative of a
postgraduate accredited course in
human lactation;
Contribute to teaching in
the School of Chemistry
and Biochemistry.
research experience in a relevant
area;
Recognition at an international
level as an authority in their
field, and broad knowledge and
expertise in other relevant areas.
lead a successful research program
through the attraction of external
research funding, research staff
and graduate research students;
Ability to build effective working
relationships with diverse
stakeholders, enriching their
research program through a wider
collaborative environment;
Ability to foster the research of
others and to work harmoniously
with colleagues and students;
Excellent verbal and written
communication skills, including
the communication of research
outcomes;
An outstanding track record
of publications in highlyranked, peer-reviewed
international journals.
demonstrated commitment to the
development and delivery of high
quality coursework teaching and
curriculum design;
Evidence of an active role
in maintaining academic
standards in the development of
educational policy.
Service
• Ability to provide leadership
•
in both academic and service
environments;
Ability to communicate effectively
with members of the academic and
medical community and, where
appropriate, professional bodies,
industry and the public.
Conditions of
employment •
The appointment will be tenurable
and subject to annual performance
reviews. An attractive and flexibly
constructed remuneration package
will be negotiated and will include:
• Professorial salary;
• Employer contribution to
superannuation of 17% (standard
employee contribution is 7%);
Recreation leave of 20 working
days per annum;
Long service leave;
• Eligibility for sabbatical leave;
• A substantial funding package
•
•
comprising an attractive allowance
for research support staff,
consumables and a generous startup budget;
Relocation assistance, including
air fares, will be offered for the
appointee and dependants.
The University of Western Australia 5
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The School of Chemistry and
Biochemistry is one of the nine
Schools in the Faculty of Science.
Housed in the state-of-the-art
Bayliss Building on the main
University campus, it is responsible
for teaching in the BSc majors that
fit within its broad discipline base
of chemistry, biochemistry and
molecular biology, and genetics.
It has a staff complement of more
than 80, research income exceeding
$6 million per annum, more than 80
PhD students, and enrolments in
undergraduate units exceeding 3000.
The Bayliss Building is unique in
Australia in co-locating the research
and teaching disciplines of chemistry,
biochemistry and molecular
biology, and genetics, as well as the
University’s facilities for nuclear
magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction
and mass spectrometry.
The School’s researchers work
across the areas of metabolic
pathways; molecular genetics,
structure, synthesis and catalysis;
biological, inorganic, organic and
physical chemistry; materials
and nanoscience; and theory
and computation. Of particular
importance to this appointment is
the School’s very strong research
profile in human lactation developed
in the Human Lactation Research
Group by Emeritus Professor Peter
Hartmann, and currently headed by
Dr Donna Geddes.
Faculty of Science:
www.science.uwa.edu.au
School of Chemistry and
Biochemistry:
www.chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
School research areas:
www.chembiochem.uwa.edu.au/
research
6 chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science was one of
the three founding Faculties at the
University, commencing teaching in
1913. The Faculty has since grown
significantly and now maintains
teaching and research specialisations
through its nine Schools:
• Agricultural and Resource
Economics;
• Anatomy, Physiology and
Human Biology;
• Animal Biology;
• Chemistry and Biochemistry;
• Earth and Environment;
• Physics;
• Plant Biology;
• Psychology;
• Sport Science, Exercise
and Health.
The Faculty has more than 5000
students from across Australia and
overseas and more than 800 staff
members. The Faculty is researchfocused and includes among its
staff world-leading researchers and
winners of numerous national and
international science awards. UWA is
rated above the world standard in 38
fields of research, and 79% of those
are in science fields.
The Faculty and the unique natural
environment of Western Australia
provide excellent opportunities for
research. The Faculty of Science
draws on the interdisciplinary
strength of our Schools, affiliated
Institutes and Centres to bring about
change for the world and humanity in
five key areas:
• Feeding the world;
• Preventing, diagnosing and
treating disease;
• Furthering human knowledge and
serving humanity;
• Harnessing resources and energy
for a sustainable future;
• Restoring and maintaining balance
in our natural environment.
The Faculty of Science and its
member Schools and research
Centres, together with the UWA
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and
Health Sciences and the Harry Perkins
Institute for Medical Research,
undertakes research, research
training, coursework education, and
communication in a wide range of
biomedical sciences. The excellence
of UWA’s research in this broad
area is internationally recognised,
as evidenced by the University’s
2015 ARWU rankings of 25 in Life
and Agriculture Sciences, and 63 in
Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy.
The University of Western Australia 7
The University of
Western Australia
The University of Western Australia is a high-quality researchintensive university with a broad and balanced coverage of
disciplines in the arts, science and major professions. It is Western
Australia’s oldest university, established in 1911, and currently
has a student population of approximately 24,500.
The University has an international
reputation for the excellence and
enterprise and is regarded as one of
Australia’s top research institutions.
Its strong research focus culture sees
it attract high levels of competitive
research funding. At the same time
the University places great emphasis
on high quality teaching and learning,
and is committed to the development
of innovation and responsive
programs. It has focused on the
teaching-research nexus, so that
teaching and learning take place in an
atmosphere of research scholarship.
The University’s high quality teaching
and research ensure it remains
the university of preference for
Western Australia’s highest achieving
school leavers, as well as attracting
high-calibre undergraduate and
postgraduate students from around
the nation and overseas. The quality
of the student population is high by
national and international standards.
The University is recognised
nationally and internationally for
the quality of its academic staff and
has strong strategic partnerships
with industry, the professions and
industry. It operates in collaboration
with other research intensive
universities in Australia and around
the world. The University of Western
Australia’s graduates are highly
competitive internationally, achieving
success in higher study and in
wide-ranging fields of employment.
Many graduates have risen to
prominence in leadership roles in
industry, government, education
and the professions, in Australia
and internationally.
www.uwa.edu.au
8 chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
The University of Western Australia 9
Perth, Western Australia
The resource-rich State of Western Australia is the principal
Australian supplier of natural resources and energy to
international partners, including China, India, Japan, South
Korea and much of South-East Asia. Western Australia’s diverse
inventory of minerals and energy, as well as its agricultural and
fisheries resources, account for 25 per cent of the nation’s exports
and place the State at the heart of Australian economic growth
and transformation.
Western Australia and its capital
Perth occupy the same time zone as
60 per cent of the world’s population
and the nations that promise the
greatest economic growth of the 21st
century. Western Australia is also
Australia’s largest state, covering
some 2.5 million square kilometres
and 12,500 kilometres of coastline,
including some of the most ancient
landscapes in the world.
Perth is a cosmopolitan city, with
wide ethnic and cultural diversity. The
city enjoys a Mediterranean climate.
Summers are hot and dry and the
winters mild and wet. Perth’s world
famous beaches, extensive parklands
and variety of restaurants and cafes
provide a superb living environment.
For more information see:
tourism.wa.gov.au
Perth is well served with art galleries,
theatres and cinemas and is home to
the WA Symphony Orchestra, the WA
Ballet and the WA Opera - uwa.edu.
au/perthfestival
Western Australia’s five universities
and wide variety of public and private
schools, vocational institutions and
English language colleges provide
quality assured education with
flexible study pathways and state-ofthe-art facilities. Perth continues to
build its reputation as a destination
for international students seeking a
quality education – studyperth.com.au
The University of Western Australia 11
Applications
Thank you for your interest. If you
wish to proceed, the following
information will assist you with
your application. Refer also to the
selection criteria on page 4.
There are no specific application
forms to complete. Your application
must include the following:
• A statement that clearly
demonstrates the extent to which
you satisfy each of the selection
criteria;
• A curriculum vitae that
provides your personal details,
qualifications, grants, graduate
student supervision, publications
and work history;
• Applicants with teaching
experience are requested to
submit a teaching portfolio;
• The names, email, mailing
addresses and the telephone
contact details of three referees
who can be contacted for a
confidential report. Please note
that your permission will be sought
before referees are contacted.
12 chembiochem.uwa.edu.au
Please also note: If you are the
successful candidate for this position
and you are not an Australian or
New Zealand citizen, or a permanent
resident of Australia, you will be
required to obtain an entry visa
to work here. The University of
Western Australia will sponsor you for
employment in Australia under the
Employer Nomination Scheme.
Lodging your application
Application must be submitted online
at: jobs.uwa.edu.au/executive
Closing date
Monday 16th November 2015
Enquiries and further
information
If you wish to discuss the position in
confidence, please contact:
Professor Mark Spackman
Head, School of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Tel: +61 8 6488 4699
mark.spackman@uwa.edu.au
UniPrint 127337