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 Page 1 of 4 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 Page 2 of 4 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. Page 3 of 4 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 Page 4 of 4