THE WALTER AND ELIZA HALL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Fellow
DIVISION / DEPARTMENT: Infection & Immunity
REPORTS TO: Professor Ivo Mueller
POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS ONE:
DATE: 13 January 2014
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: This position is based with the Division of Infection & Immunity but on fulltime secondment to the Vector Borne Disease
Unit of the PNG Institute of Medical Research in Madang (PNGIMR), Papua New Guinea. In collaboration with overseas partners, the Mueller lab is
conducting large-scale epidemiological and entomological studies to gain an in-depth understanding of transmission P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria
in 3 non-Africa settings. The Entomologist /Vector Biologist will be responsible for the vector related research in Papua New Guinea. This will include
the conduct of membrane feeding of P. vivax and P. falciparum infected blood samples to colony-reared mosquitoes to determine study the relationships
between density and genetic complexity of gametocytes in a blood meal and its infectivity to the mosquito host. Molecular approaches will be required
to identify the frequency of sexual recombination in the mosquito midgut in order to quantify potential genetics bottlenecks in the transmission process.
In addition to direct project-related activities, the Entomologist /Vector Biologist will be expected to lead the small entomology/vector biology team at
the PNGIMR and will be given the opportunity to develop his/her own research projects in collaboration with PNGIMR scientists. The position will thus
require close collaboration with junior PNG scientists including the training and mentoring of PhD and MSc students in Papua New Guinea.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS / INTERACTIONS:
•Prof. Ivo Mueller, Lab Head, Infection & Immunity Unit
•Dr Leanne Robinson, Head, Vector Borne Disease Unit, PNGIMR
•Prof. Alan Cowman, Division Head, Infection & Immunity Unit
•Prof. Peter Siba, Director, PNGIMR
KEY CHALLENGES:
 Work independently and take on responsibility for study conduct
 Set up and supervise membrane feeding studies in a field setting
 Collaborate with scientist with variable levels of training and
different cultural background
 Combine entomological and molecular technique
FREEDOM TO ACT:
• Conduct project related activities in accordance to protocol and
instructions by project PIs
• Supervise the activities of the PNG IMR entomology unit accordance to
guidance by the IMR Head of Vector Borne Disease Unit
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
•PhD in (medical) entomology or vector biology
•Experience in vector transmission experiments
•Familiarity with mosquito membrane feeding assays
•Experience in mosquito colony maintenance
•Experience in (basic) molecular biology
•Interest in field-based research
•Ability to work independently
•Ability to work collaboratively with WEHI colleagues and overseas
collaborators
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY
RESPONSIBILITIES
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
Project related research
activities

Assistance to PNG IMR
entomology section

OUTCOMES / PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Conduct membrane feeding experiment on field samples  Research is conducting in accordance with the protocol
using colony reared mosquitoes
and timelines of the project
 Molecular diagnosis and genotyping of P. falciparum and
P. vivax transmission/ mosquito stages (ie gametocytes,
oozysts & sporozoites)
 Maintenance of an Anopheline breeding colony at the
PNGIMR.
 Coordinate the collection of clinical samples from
symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium spp. carrier
with local field teams
Assist the Head of Vector Borne Disease Unit at the
PNGIMR with the management and supervision of the
PNGIMR entomology unit in Madang
 Contribute to training in statistics for post-graduate
students at PNG Institute of Medical Research

The PNG IMR entomology units received adequate
support to conduct its routine activities
 Junior PNG IMR scientists are trained and mentored
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Occupational Health and
Safety
MAJOR ACTIVITIES





Comply with Institute Health and Safety Policies and
Procedures
Take reasonable care of own safety and the safety of
others around
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety
devices appropriately
Report all hazards, incidents and injuries
Attend training programs as documented in individual
training needs matrices
OUTCOMES / PERFORMANCE MEASURES





Safe work practices followed
PPE worn when required
Attendance at training programs
Effective implementation of required Controls
Reduction in injuries