Research Officer

**Position **Research Officer

**Position Number **3978A01 **Level/Classification **HEW Level 5***

**Reports to **Associate Professor Microbiology***

**Unit **Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences***

**Directorate **College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education***

**Positions Supervised **Nil***

**Position Purpose**

This position is to undertake research in the area of One-Health Antimicrobial Resistance with

a specific focus on controlling resistant zoonotic pathogens and fastidious animal pathogens

in Australia, and will primarily work on antimicrobial resistance, genomics, and animal trials

using zoonotic, commensal and pathogenic bacteria from livestock and wildlife.

**About Murdoch University**

Murdoch University helps people discover how to make a difference, through education and

research endeavor, and remains one of the most inclusive universities in the country,

providing students with quality education and recognised academic standing within an

engaging and caring environment. We are a university for all, irrespective of background and

social standing with a focus on social equity, self-direction and freedom of thought and belief.

With strong links to government, business and the community, Murdoch University helps

people discover how to make a difference. We are a young, innovative and enterprising

university with more than 23,000 students and 1,700 staff across Perth, Singapore and Dubai.

We are committed to high quality education, innovative research, and strong community

engagement both locally and internationally.

Our Strategic Plan and Future Horizon 2017-2027 outlines an ambitious blueprint for

development and growth, with a focus on one purpose: to be a creative force for current and

future generations.

We are clear about our two core goals: to educate free thinkers who thrive in society and are

sought after by employers; and, to provide life changing solutions for the world’s big

challenges through our outstanding translational research and innovative practice.

**About the Work Area**

The College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (SHEE) was formed in January

2019 from an amalgamation of the Schools of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Health

Professions, Psychology and Exercise Science, Engineering and Information Technology, and

Education. The combination of these individually strong areas fosters cross-disciplinary

academic expertise and innovative multidisciplinary approaches to research and teaching. The

College promotes excellent teaching and research facilities and has highly qualified academic

and professional staff across the following disciplines:

- Psychology, Counselling, Exercise Science and Chiropractic
- Nursing
- Education
- Engineering and Energy
- Information Technology, Math and Statistics
- Chemistry and Physics
- Agricultural Sciences
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine - Virtual School of Veterinary Medicine

Within Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, the Research Officer will support research

projects led by the Associate Professor Microbiology, including MLA and industry funded

projects in _One-Health Antimicrobial Resistance_.

**Reporting Relationships**

Head of Discipline
Medical, Molecular and

Forensic Sciences

Associate Professor
Microbiology

**Research Officer**

Murdoch University Position Description - Research Officer

**Key Responsibilities / Duties**

1. Perform AMR surveillance utilizing fastidious, zoonotic and commensal bacteria from

the Australian livestock sector

2. Assist in the development of robotic assays for isolation and antimicrobial resistance

determination in isolates from Australian livestock

3. Perform microbroth dilution assays to determine the minimum inhibitory

concentration of zoonotic, commensal and fastidious pathogens isolated from

livestock

4. Assist in the maintenance of key laboratory equipment including large software

packages.

5. Assist with NATA accreditation

6. Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing on bacteria, and undertake virus and

parasites testing and next generation sequencing

7. Assist with animal trials for rodents and large livestock, and other trials as required.

8. Collect and record data, and assist in undertaking preliminary analysis and

interpretation of experimental data

9. Provide technical assistance to PhD students and Post-Doctoral Fellows as required

10. Assist in maintaining laboratory consumables, reagents and equipment

11. Undertake such other duties as required by your supervisor

**Academic Career Framework**

Murdoch University’s academic career framework provides a transparent, equitable and

consistent approach to probation and promotion as well as outcome and workload

expectations.

Please refer to the Murdoch University Academic Career Framework for performance criteria

and expectations for all academic positions.

**Selection Crite