UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

• Applications open for full time and up to 12 month appointment
• This position requires immediate start (no later than 1 June 2021)
• Salary range: Level A $72,780 - $97,946 p.a. plus superannuation

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked amongst the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research-intensive universities. With an enviable research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to ‘innovate and inspire’ there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top University.

About The Team

The UWA School of Agriculture and Environment is a comprehensive, research-intensive school that spans the broad disciplines of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, and Geography and Planning. The School is located in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and the state of Western Australia has over 20,000km of coastline adjoining the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a wealth of marine and natural resources. Our teaching and research benefits from a network of both national and international collaborators, and has a strong track record in PhD supervision and external research grant success.

About The Opportunity

Under limited direction of Dr Talitha Santini, you will contribute to several exciting projects focused on microbial bioremediation of mine wastes. You will develop and compare the efficacy of emerging technologies for pH neutralisation, trace element immobilisation, and structure solidification/stabilisation through laboratory, glasshouse, and field scale trials. You will analyse and report data and write manuscripts for publication to communicate results. You will also be engaged with other ongoing projects in Dr Santini’s research group in the broad fields of environmental microbiology and biotechnology, soil science, and land rehabilitation.

To Be Considered For This Role, You Will Demonstrate

• PhD in the field of microbiology or biotechnology
• Applied research experience (laboratory) in microbiology and bioinformatics
• Track record of high quality publications in microbiology and/or biotechnology
• Highly developed organisational skills with the demonstrated ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines
• Experience and outputs using qPCR, microscopy to interrogate microbe-mineral attachment (e.g. live/dead staining, confocal microscopy, etc.), and DNA extraction and amplification
• Capacity to complete amplicon and metagenomic analyses from raw data to final product, including metagenome-assembled genome construction and microbial community composition and statistical analysis (e.g. dbRDA, PCoA, etc)

About You

To succeed in this position, you will be a self-starter with the ability to follow directions with limited supervision. You will demonstrate ability to take initiative, problem solve and work productively and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. You will possess excellent organisational skills with demonstrated ability to set priorities while meeting competing deadlines between various tasks and projects.

Full details of the position responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description. In preparing your application you are asked to submit curriculum vitae and a document clearly addressing the selection criteria to demonstrate that you meet the criteria.

Please see the position description prior to applying: Position Description - Research Associate 506550.pdf

Closing date: Wednesday, 21 April 2021

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce. We celebrate inclusion and diversity and believe gender equity is fundamental to achieving our goal of being a top 50 university by 2050.

• We have child friendly areas on campus, including childcare facilities. Flexible work arrangements, part-time hours and job sharing will all be considered.
• UWA has been awarded Platinum Employer Status for being a Top Ten Employer for LGBTI Inclusion by the Australian Workplace Equity Index (AWEI -2019).
• UWA has also been awarded Athena Swan Bronze Accreditation in 2020.