Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Mickleham VIC
$81,690 - $89,615 a year
7 days ago , from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services DivisionWork with a motivated team of scientists to develop, deliver and innovate plant biosecurity projects to address operational and policy challengesCollaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver and implement projects, and build synergistic partnershipsProvide technical supervision and mentorship to tertiary students APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuationBiosecurity Plant and Science Services DivisionMickleham, VICWork with a motivated team of scientists to develop, deliver and innovate plant biosecurity projects to address operational and policy challengesCollaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver and implement projects, and build synergistic partnershipsProvide technical supervision and mentorship to tertiary studentsWho we are
The Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD) safeguards Australia's plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets, while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches, which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally, and delivers plant, animal and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait.The Plant Import Operations Branch (PIO) is primarily responsible for the facilitation of safe importation of plants and plant product commodities. This includes: live plants for planting; seeds for planting and consumption; plant-based animal feeds, plant-based fertiliser, timber, plant fibre products, and other processed plant products; imported fruit, vegetables and fresh cut flowers and foliage; and plant-related research material.
The Plant Innovation Centre (PIC) is the departments dedicated Plant Biosecurity research, development, innovation and extension section based at the national Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility at Mickleham in Victoria (35 minutes north from Melbourne's CBD). The facility is a state of the art, world class plant and animal biosecurity centre and includes BC2 and BC3 research and diagnostic laboratories. We develop, optimise, validate, and implement innovative solutions to improve plant biosecurity outcomes with particular expertise and focus on molecular diagnostics and treatments. The PIC also supports Honours and higher-degree (MSc/PhD) students with scholarships, supervises students, and actively engages with universities and external scientific and research organisations.
The Job
As a Molecular Scientist with the PIC team, your duties will include, but are not limited to:
working within a small team to develop and deliver applied and innovative plant biosecurity projects that address operational and policy challenges within the departmentassist in developing proposals to trial innovative solutions and collaborations between potential project partnerscollaborating with internal and external stakeholders including sustaining synergistic partnerships with policy makers, industry, the biosecurity research community, and education sector communicating technical scientific research to internal and external stakeholders, through report writing, manuscripts, meetings, and workshopsproviding technical supervision to students and graduates within the laboratoryA merit pool will be established from this recruitment process which may be used to fill future ongoing vacancies.
What are we looking for
knowledge and experienceWe thrive when our teams are made up of people from different backgrounds, cultures, genders, education, training, and skills. The successful applicants will have the following knowledge, capabilities, and experience:
knowledge and experience in molecular biology to develop, optimise and validate new and existing diagnostics and supportive tools, contributing to applicable research, innovation, extension and implementationknowledge and experience in plant biotechnology, plant pathology, botany or agricultural sciencesexperience and understanding of plant biosecurity, bioinformatics and aseptic technique (desirable)self-motivated and be able to work independently with minimal supervisionfamiliar with supervising and mentoring undergraduate and post-graduate (Honours/MSc) students (desirable)Mandatory qualificationsRelevant tertiary qualifications in molecular biology, life-sciences, agriculture, plant pathology, or bioinformaticsEligibility and other requirements
The successful applicant must:
hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licenceThis position would be primarily based in Mickleham, with the flexibility to work from home depending on operational demand.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below.
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