Research Assistant

Fixed term, full time opportunity, until 30 June 2027
- $80,467 - $88,022 (G05) per annum, plus up to 17% superannuation
- Curtin Bentley (Perth, WA) based

**Job reference: 948237**

**About the role**
We are excited to offer a rewarding opportunity for a Research Assistant to join our innovative team focused on studying the biochemical processes and fluxes of fungicides once applied to crops. In this role, you will support a dynamic group of researchers dedicated to understanding how plants uptake, redistribute, and metabolise fungicides. These processes are key to optimising the use of agrochemicals, and the Fungicide Dynamics project working to unravel how plant traits, along with biotic and abiotic factors, influence fungicide behaviour and its impact on plant disease protection.

**Your responsibilities will include**a**mix of experimental, and technical tasks performed under supervision. Specifically, you will:

- Conduct microbiology/mycology experiments and plant pathology studies, including fungal culture isolation and maintenance, plant care, infection assays, and pathogenicity tests.
- Conduct laboratory, glasshouse and fieldwork to understand fungicides dynamics under various conditions.
- Perform analytical chemistry duties, such as preparing chemical standard solutions, conducting small molecule extractions, and analysing samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
- Provide support to the Fungicide Dynamics project through general laboratory maintenance and assist students in basic laboratory techniques.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for professional development, particularly in a collaborative environment that is dedicated to improving the agricultural sector. Our Centre prioritises enhancing human capacity to meet the evolving needs of the industry, so you will gain valuable experience to further your career.

**Who we are looking for**
We are looking for someone with a degree in a relevant discipline such as chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, plant pathology, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

**Essential Criteria**:

- Demonstrated experience working in a laboratory environment, with a solid understanding of laboratory procedures.
- Proven strong proficiency in preparing chemical solutions and converting between various concentration units (e.g., mass/volume percent, molarity, g/L, ppm).
- Practical experience in growing plants within a glasshouse or plant growth chamber.
- Well-developed numeracy and validation skills and a methodical approach to tasks, including handling large data sets.
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
- Proven strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity in all interactions.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, contributing to shared goals.

**Desirable**:

- Experience growing plants and working with fungal pathogens is highly desirable.
- Experience using liquid chromatography and or mass spectrometry.

**Role Requirements**
- As this is a fixed-term contract, you will require current work rights in Australia that match the tenure of this role

**Your new team - The Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM)**
CCDM at Curtin University works closely with the grains industry to reduce the $1 billion per year burden of crop disease for Australian farmers. For almost 10 years our research discoveries have improved the genetic resistance of wheat, barley, canola and pulses providing enduring solutions for growers dealing with disease epidemics.

**About Curtin University**

**What We Offer You**
Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and endless food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, we offer more than just a job. Curtin offers a wide range of generous benefits, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more. For more information, check out our benefits page

**Join Us**
**If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents**:

- Updated Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience, including sufficient summarised examples relating to the selection criteria outlined above.

**Applications close**: Friday, 21 February 2025

Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.