Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology

**Job no**: 0056548
**Location**:Parkville
**Role type**:Full time; Fixed-term for 5 years
**Faculty**:Faculty of Science
**Department/School**:School of BioSciences
**Salary**:Level A - $77,171 - $104,717p.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 Fellow will be a member of the project team who will work on research that will provide new insight into how resistance evolves and is maintained in natural populations and may result in potential reduction in pesticide use with associated economic and biodiversity benefits.

The School of BioSciences is located on the Parkville campus.

The project will involve:

- Primer design of putative resistance alleles across Drosophila species
- Determine the frequency of different resistance alleles in field caught _D. melanogaster_
- Quantification of tissue specific expression of orthologous resistance genes in male and female Drosophila
- Determine the impact of resistance allele expression on _D. melanogaster_ metabolism
- Quantify the interaction between gut microbiota, endosymbionts, and resistance in _D. melanogaster_
- Undertake transgenic expression of orthologous resistance genes across Drosophila
- Use CRISPR/Cas9 to establish resistance gene knockouts in flies

**About You**

You will be a suitably qualified postdoc, with demonstrated experience in fly transgenic techniques, experience in insect husbandry, especially of Drosophila flies, and experience in bioinformatic analysis. You will be able to demonstrate an aptitude for independent research, and a track-record of sound publication in relevant areas, commensurate with experience and opportunities. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work co-operatively and positively in a multi-disciplinary research-based team environment and liaise with people from diverse backgrounds

You will also have:

- Completion of a PhD in zoology, molecular or evolutionary biology or a related discipline
- A broad range of skills in molecular biology
- Demonstrated ability to prepare research reports and manuscripts for publication
- Strong evidence of ability and desire to build an academic research career trajectory
- Excellent interpersonal and both written and oral communication skills in English
- Demonstrated excellent organisational skills to meet deadlines and bring projects to a timely completion
- Demonstrated ability to develop, administer and see through to completion appropriately designed research projects with limited supervision

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

**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, e