Research Associate in Phage Gene Regulation

Position Details

• Fixed Term for 5-years I Full Time
• Academic Level A | $86,423 - $104,734 p.a.
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country / Australia
• View Position Description

About the Role
The  Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration (FAME) is seeking a Research Associate in Phage Gene Regulation with expertise in molecular microbiology and protein biochemistry. This position will design and implement cutting-edge assays to explore how bacteriophages regulate their life cycle and respond to environmental signals, combining wet-lab and computational biology approaches.

The Research Associate will:

• Conduct molecular biology and protein-DNA interaction experiments (e.g. EMSA, protein purification, functional screens).
• Integrate laboratory findings with bioinformatics analyses such as motif discovery and comparative genomics.
• Collaborate with Chief Investigator, students, and partners to deliver impactful research outcomes.

About You
You are a motivated early career or emerging researcher with a strong foundation in microbiology, molecular biology, or synthetic biology. You bring sound technical skills and a passion for advancing phage biology research.

As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate:

• Completion of, or significant progress towards, a PhD in Microbiology or a related discipline.
• Experience in molecular cloning, protein-DNA interaction assays, or sequence analysis (phage biology highly desirable).
• A track record of research outputs, including publications and/or conference presentations.

About the Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration (FAME)

The Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration (FAME) is an exciting new research group at Flinders University, bringing together world-leading experts to push the boundaries of microbiome and metagenomics research. FAME works across disciplines to explore how microbial communities shape our world, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and data analysis—an ideal environment for early-career researchers eager to make an impact.

Life at Flinders

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world.

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders?

• Ninety per cent of Flinders research has been ranked at 'world standard or above' by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
• 17% Superannuation, salary packaging options and a wide range of professional development activities, such as Flinders University's Researcher Development and Leadership Programs.
• We promote wellbeing through our initiative
• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards
• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A valid National Police Certificate which is satisfactory to the University will also be required before the successful applicant can commence in this position.

How to Apply and Information

• As well as a CV, you are required to submit a Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the Key Position Capabilities of the position description.
• For more information regarding this position, we strongly encourage you to contact Professor Robert Edwards.

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Friday, 26 September 2025.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted.

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.