Molecular Laboratory Technician

**Acknowledgement of Country**:
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

**Child safety**:
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

**The opportunity**:
As the successful applicant, your position will support insect systematics research and curation through molecular lab work, involving protocol development, troubleshooting, DNA extraction, and library preparation for sequencing. Responsibilities also include HSE tasks, assisting less experienced users, and general lab upkeep.

Your focus will be on collection genomics, dealing with historical DNA from ANIC’s 12 million specimens. DNA sequences support phylogenetic studies, taxonomic revisions, species identifications, and collection curation. High-throughput workflows utilize advanced equipment such as multi-channel pipettes, robotics, MinION sequencers, and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

**Your duties will include**:

- Contribute to multi-disciplinary project teams and take ownership of tasks.
- Communicate ideas, results, and issues both in-person and electronically.
- Document all steps in an electronic lab notebook and maintain lab operations.
- Train and mentor less experienced users; administer HSE procedures.
- Optimize protocols for unusual samples and troubleshoot workflows.
- Operate complex equipment (e.g., robotic platforms, liquid handlers).
- Perform DNA/RNA extractions, generate DNA barcodes, and build WGS libraries.
- Conduct hybrid target capture reactions and handle confidential projects.
- Manage lab consumables, orders, and credit card expenses.

**Location**:Canberra, ACT

**Salary**:AU$93,267 - AU$105,517 plus up to 15.4% superannuation

**Tenure**:Indefinite

**Reference**:97735

**To be considered you will need**:
Essential
- Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed._
- Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience in molecular genomics or molecular biology.
- Practical expertise in a broad range of current laboratory techniques for molecular genetics, including Illumina library preparation.
- Practical experience with the implementation and troubleshooting of laboratory protocols.
- Ability to carry out complex workflows and operate advanced technical equipment.
- Experience with reliable processing of many samples.
- History of both successful teamwork and working independently to meet agreed objectives.

Desirable
- Experience with historical DNA lab work and hybrid target capture.
- Proficient in lab automation and Oxford Nanopore technology.
- Familiar with LIMS/ELN and bioinformatics/data analysis.
- Skilled in lab maintenance and upkeep.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

**Eligibility**:
**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**:
**Applications close**:
6th October 2024, 11:00pm AEST