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The opportunity

• Apply your strong laboratory skills in this permanent research technician role
• Contribute to the development of crop varieties for industry
• Join CSIRO, Australia’s premier scientific research organisation

The role of Research Projects staff in CSIRO is to collaborate in scientific and technological activities with other research staff usually by assisting with detailed planning, undertaking or assisting with experimental, observational or technology development work, and in carrying out the more practical aspects of the work.

The Cotton Biotechnology Research Technician will be part of the Breeding Innovations Group within the Agriculture & Food Business Unit's Crops Program. This laboratory-based role will be critical in supporting the breeding and the creation of new commercial cotton varieties by CSIRO’s highly successful breeding program that is based in Narrabri, NSW.

The technician will work as part of a small integrated technical team interacting closely with our field staff in Narrabri and gain experience in the processes of developing crop varieties for industry.

Your duties will include:

• As part of a small team, undertake high throughput sample preparation for antibody-based ELISA assays of leaf or seed material and/or extraction of DNAs for trait genotyping and genome sequencing.
• Analyse cotton DNAs for presence/absence and zygosity of several different GM and non-GM agronomic traits using PCR fluorescence-based assays such as KASP and TaqMan, set up using a liquid handling robot.
• Prepare reagents for various antibody and molecular biology duties such as build constructs for plant transformation.
• Perform plant transformation and take care of transgenic plants.
• Undertake general laboratory housekeeping and stock management in a shared laboratory space.
• Under limited supervision, design and perform straightforward experiments and routine laboratory analyses, design new processes or apparatus by adapting existing techniques and components to meet special circumstances or undertake modifications to methods requiring some innovation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team to carry out tasks in support of CSIRO’s obligations to its commercial seed industry partner and the Australian cotton industry.

Location:Black Mountain, Canberra

Salary:AU$70K- AU$90K pa plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure:Indefinite, full-time

Reference:96866

To be considered you will need:

Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

• Relevant trade certificate/diploma/bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of molecular biology reagents and conducting molecular assays such as PCR assays.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of equipment such as thermal cyclers, centrifuges and electronic pipettors and an ability to follow and, when necessary, optimise a written protocol.
• Demonstrated organisation skills coupled with the ability to keep careful records of experimental work and basic computer skills for data entry and analysis.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to a high level of personal performance and a track record of following good Health and Safety practices at work.
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible in assigned tasks as work priorities change or in response to externally imposed commercial deadlines and to self-manage allocation of time to tasks.
• A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.

Desirable

• Experience in working with liquid handling robots and more complex scientific equipment under instruction.
• Familiarity with the techniques of ELISA, high-throughput DNA extraction and DNA genotyping would be an advantage.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrateyour motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

Tuesday 16th July 2024, 11:00pm AEST.