Research Support Officer in Transgene Design and

**Job no**:0025505
**Location**:Parkville***
**Role type**: Full Time; Fixed Term for 24 months
**Faculty**: Faculty of Science
**School**:School of BioSciences
**Salary**: UOM 5 - $79,961 - $91,844 p.a. plus 17% super
- **Play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining a state-of-the-art plant genetic transformation capability as part of the Golz Group’s laboratory research**:

- **The role has potential to expand to provide support to the broader plant science community at the university**:

- **Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families**

**About the Role**
The Research Support Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining advanced plant genetic transformation capabilities, primarily focusing on Brassica plants, and assisting in DNA construct design, imaging, and molecular and cell biology within the Golz Group at the School of BioSciences. You will collaborate with researchers and students to conduct high-quality characterisation of genetically modified plants, ensuring laboratory safety and compliance with regulations, and potentially expanding the transformation capabilities to support the broader plant science community.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Co-design and generate DNA constructs for plant genetic transformation, utilising synthetic biology principles and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedures
- Conduct thorough characterisations of genetically modified plant lines using various imaging methods, collaborate with research groups, and assist with general laboratory tasks, including plant maintenance and media preparation
- Maintain accurate records of experiments and ensure compliance with lab biosafety, OGTR, and hazardous chemical requirements, including overseeing safety inductions and risk assessments for new experiments and reagents

**Who We Are Looking For**
You will possess substantial experience in genetic transformation of plants, especially in Brassica or other species. You should be well-versed in tissue culture, plant transformation, microscopy, cell and molecular techniques, and you will demonstrate expertise in environmental health and safety in laboratory settings, along with exceptional organisational and communication skills.

You will also have:

- BSc in molecular genetics
- Competency in cell and molecular techniques, including primer design, gene cloning, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, protein extraction, and Western blotting
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in environmental health and safety, with a focus on chemical hazard management in a laboratory setting

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.
- This position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check to ensure the University provides a safe environment for everyone. _

**Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. **This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

**Your New Team - 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.

**What We Offer You**
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page

**About the University of Melbourne**
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