- Full-time (Part time will be considered)
- Fixed Term – 3 years
- Based at La Trobe University’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus
- Work with inspiring people who are driven to make a difference!
About the position
The position sits within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) whose vision is to develop technologies that enable humans to survive and thrive in space, reducing the dependence on constant resupply, and using this lens to transform the sustainability of food and bioresource production on Earth.
Plants for Space is a transdisciplinary team involving systems and process engineering, plant biology, food chemistry, psychology, education and space law, located in our foundational universities of Adelaide, Flinders, Melbourne, La Trobe and Western Australia.
The position will contribute to the Plants for Space ‘Zero-waste plants optimised for controlled environments’ mission. The purpose of this position is to conduct fundamental research into plant biology as a member of A/Prof Kim Johnson’s group. Based at the AgriBio building within the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (LISAF) in Bundoora, the appointee will conduct research to optimise cell wall traits for increased harvest index, architecture and nutrition for food production and explore valorisation of non-edible plant material in horticulture crops.
Duties at this level will include:
- Conduct and publish, or otherwise disseminate high quality and/or high impact research/scholarly activities under limited supervision either independently or as part of a team.
- Assist in applications for research funding from external sources.
- Participate in professional activities including presentations at conferences and seminars in field of expertise.
- Provide advice within the field of the employee's research to Honours and postgraduate students.
- Attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the unit to which the research is connected.
- Acquire and interpret research data and results. Run analyses and tests using specified and agreed techniques and models. Contribute to the development of techniques, models and methods.
- Conduct wet-lab experiments related to plant genetics, physiology and biochemistry.
- Undertake cell wall analytical studies including microscopy and cell wall chemistry.
- Analysis of large datasets, for example RNA-seq or plant phenomics.
Skills and Experience
- Completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline (plant biology, agricultural sciences, cell and molecular biology), and evidence of participation in higher level study relevant to discipline or professional area.
- Evidence of experience in research and evaluation and the ability to work effectively under limited supervision or independently.
- A record of contribution to publications, conference papers and/or reports, or professional or technical contributions which provide evidence of research potential.
- Experience in the analysis and modelling of data, including the capacity to integrate data from a range of sources and of uneven quality.
- Experience of molecular biology and/or cell wall biology, with a focus on plant development.
Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.
Welcome to Bundoora campus – Please click on the video link below:
https://f.io/KDo0ceng
Benefits:
- 17% employer contributed superannuation
- On site child care facilities
- Flexible work arrangements
- Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses
How to apply
Closing date: By 11:55pm, Sunday 23rd March 2025
Position Enquiries: Associate Professor Kim Johnson via email K.Johnson@latrobe.edu.au
Recruitment Enquiries: Lisa White via email Lisa.White@latrobe.edu.au
Position Description below:
PD - Research Officer P4S.pdf
Only candidates with Full Working Rights in Australia may apply for this position.
Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:
- Cover letter;
- An up to date resume; and
- A separate document addressing each bullet point under the Essential Criteria ‘Skills and knowledge required for the position’, which is located in the position description.
Please scroll down to apply.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.
All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005. If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.
