Location:Australian National Wildlife Collection, Crace, Australian
Capital Territory
Tenure: 3 years
Relocation Assistance: May be provided to the successful candidate
Residency Status: All Candidates
Role Overview:
CSIRO offers PhD graduates an opportunity to launch their scientific
careers through our Office of the Chief Executive (OCE) Postdoctoral
Fellowships. Successful applicants will work with leaders in the field of
science and receive personal development and learning opportunities.
Applications are invited for a three-year OCE Postdoctoral Fellowship in
Evolutionary Rescue (ER). ER posits that evolution might occur
sufficiently fast to arrest population decline under new environmental
challenges and allow population recovery before extinction occurs. It
stresses short-term evolutionary dynamics and focuses on genetic variants
of large effects and absolute rather than relative fitness. This project
addresses an emerging key area in Evolutionary Rescue - the genetic and
genomic mechanisms of adaptation to climate change. It will use the tools
provided by the published, annotated Zebra Finch genome as łroadmap˛ for
genomic study of how the 17 other native Australian and five introduced
finches have adapted to diverse climates. For example, two native species
are confined to the continentąs wettest temperate forests, one to tropical
forests, nine to monsoonal savannas, two to arid deserts and four to
inland eastern Australia. Australian finches, therefore, are a comparative
system with which we can explore genomic underpinnings of traits important
in adaptation to climate change and gene-environment interactions in
natural populations.
Duties and Key Result Areas:
The Postdoctoral Fellow will be mentored but will be responsible for:
-performing high-throughput genotyping and detection of thousands of
single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in up to 30 individuals across the
geographical ranges of at least two finch species from arid, tropical and
temperate climates
-identify genomic regions under selection by outlier analysis or other
methods to identify sites with high diversification relative to the finch
species' genome
-screening for patterns of gene expression across the geographical and
climatic ranges of the finch species;
-seek correlations among patterns of gene expression, outlier loci and
environmental variables across species to pinpoint genomic regions of
interest to climatic adaptation.
-test whether genes and gene functions are differentially expressed and
present/absent in species living in different climatic regimes (e.g.,
tropical and arid versus temperate zones).
-Work with other team members and provide support and/or supervision of
junior staff or students, etc.
-Produce high quality scientific and technical outputs including journal
articles, conference papers and presentations, patents and technical
reports.
-Develop innovative concepts and ideas for further research.
-Regularly review relevant literature and patents.
-Contribute to the effective functioning of the research team and help
deliver upon CSIROąs organisational objectives.
-Participate in CSIROąs postdoctoral training program.
*CSIRO's postdoctoral training program is a structured training program
that will be developed between you and a CSIRO scientist. The program will
allow you to further develop your skills in research, planning, management
and communication.
Training and development plans will be designed to develop fellowsą
capabilities to the level expected of an independent researcher. Each
plan will include on-the-job and course-based development encompassing:
-Discipline-specific techniques and protocols
-Professional growth
-Project management
-Communication and influencing skills
-Working and collaborating with others
For further information please see
http://www.csiro.au/Portals/
ellowships.aspx
Selection Criteria:
Please note: Under CSIRO policy only applicants who meet all the essential
criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisite:
A PhD, or will shortly satisfy the requirements for a PhD degree, in a
relevant scientific discipline.
Owing to the terms of CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowships, you must not have
more than 3 years relevant post doctoral experience.
Essential Criteria:
1.Demonstrated ability to conduct innovative research in vertebrate
genomics and informatics.
2.Demonstrated ability to develop experimental plans and pursue novel
research approaches.
3.Demonstrated originality, creativity and innovation in solving problems
and introducing new directions and approaches.
4.Ability to work with a broad range of people from varying research
backgrounds and evidence of strong oral and written communication skills,
including the ability to publish the results of scientific research in
scientific journals.
5.Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision
while contributing to overall team performance and proven ability to meet
performance deadlines during the course of the project.
Desirable Criteria:
1.Experience in transcriptomics, especially in birds.
2.Experience in phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data.
CSIRO is a values based organisation. In your application and at interview
you will need to demonstrate behaviours aligned to our values of:
-Integrity of Excellent Science
-Trust & Respect
-Creative Spirit
-Delivering on Commitments
-Health, Safety & Sustainability
Other Information:
How to Apply: Please apply for this position online at
www.csiro.au/careers. You may be asked to provide additional information
(online) relevant to the selection criteria. If so, then responding will
enhance your application so please take the time to provide relevant
succinct answers. Applicants who do not provide the information when
requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 and
someone will be able to assist you. Outside business hours please email:
csiro-careers@csiro.au
IMPORTANT: Please upload your resume/curriculum vitae and other documents
in MS Word only so they can be converted to PDF before being sent to the
Selection Panel. Please note only two documents can be attached to your
application.
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two
previous supervisors or academic / professional referees included in your
resume/CV please add these before uploading your
CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further
information please contact Leo Joseph by email at Leo.Joseph@csiro.au or
by phone at +61 2 6242 1689.
Please do not email your application directly to Leo Joseph. Applications
received via this method will not be considered.
About CSIRO: Australia is founding its future on science and innovation.
Its national science agency, CSIRO is a powerhouse of ideas, technologies
and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It
serves governments, industries, business and communities across the
nation. Find out more! www.csiro.au.
About the Research Group: The position will be based at the Australian
National Wildlife Collection, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Canberra (CES).
The successful applicant will be mentored and supervised by a team
comprising research scientists from CSIRO and the Australian National
University, namely Dr Sarah Pryke (ANU), Professor Craig Moritz
(ANUCSIROąs joint Centre for Biodiversity Analysis) and Dr Karl Gordon
(CES).
