Research Officer, Pearg

**Job no**: 0058409
**Location**:Parkville
**Role type**:Full time; Fixed-term for 24 months
**Faculty**:Faculty of Science
**Department/School**:School of BioSciences
**Salary**:UOM 5 - $76,886 - $88,312 p.a. plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

**About the School of BioSciences**

The School of BioSciences was formed in 2015 through the amalgamation of the School of Botany and the Departments of Genetics and Zoology, thus bringing together a critical mass of 160 Academic staff and 240 Research Higher Degree students undertaking world class teaching and research in the biological sciences. Academics within the School are aligned to four research clusters: Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Science; Genetics, Genomics and Development; Plant Science and Computational Biology. Through cross-disciplinary collaborations within the School and with external partners, the School is a major recipient of grant and contract funding.

The School is a major contributor to the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Biomedical Science and the Environmental Science programs, its teaching program reflecting the research interests within the School.

**About the Role**
The Research Officer will work within the Pest & Environmental Adaptation Research Group (PEARG) at the School of BioSciences, led by Melbourne Laureate Professor Ary Hoffmann AC. The Research Officer will primarily provide technical expertise in molecular biology, and general research assistance for current and future funded research projects in the PEARG. The incumbent must have the ability to consistently support the production of high-quality research and meet deadlines.

The appointee is expected to work in a flexible and dynamic environment and operational requirements may require the incumbent to perform other tasks as directed.

Responsibilities include:

- Providing technical support and training to research staff and graduate researchers
- Where appropriate, assisting researchers in the team to carry out experiments to further the laboratory’s research output
- Performing administrative duties such as records of training, equipment maintenance, SOP development, risk assessments and stock inventories
- Preparing data for reports and communicate data to supervising academics

**About You**
You will have well-developed oral and written communication skills required for building relationships with internal and external collaborators and have the ability to work on multiple projects concurrently and adapt to work on other tasks as required. You will possess excellent administrative skills in a research laboratory, e.g. ordering of consumables and maintaining inventories; writing and updating laboratory SOPs. You will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team and interact in a courteous and effective manner with academic, administrative and support staff.

You will also have:

- A Bachelor of Science Degree or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training
- Experience with molecular techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, RADSeq, Qubit QC, preparation of samples for sequencing by various external parties, analysis of sequencing results and primer optimisation
- Demonstrated ability to compile and quality check data
- Ability to work with mínimal supervision to support quality research
- Demonstrated organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines

**Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia.**

**About the University**
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

**Benefits of Working with Us**
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

- Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
- Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
- Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
- Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
- Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

**Be Yourself**
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encou