School of Life and Environmental Sciences / Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Sciences Cluster Faculty of Science

• Opportunity to contribute to the research and development of ARC-funded project “Characterising rates of molecular evolution across the Tree of Life”
• Located on the Camperdown Campus in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences
• Full-time, fixed-term position, with a base salary ranging between $74K - $83Kp.a. Level 5, plus annual leave loading and a generous employer’s contribution to superannuation

About the opportunity 

The Research Assistant will provide technical and research support for the ARC-funded project “Characterising rates of molecular evolution across the Tree of Life”. Under the supervision of the Chief Investigator, the responsibilities of the Research Assistant will include developing an online database with a public web interface, populating the database with curated scientific data, assisting with de novo genome assembly and quality control, assisting with analyses of population genomic data, and providing technical and computational assistance to academics and research students collaborating on the project. There will be opportunities for preparing research for publication and for communicating the results of the work at conferences and other scientific outlets. 

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Research Assistant who possesses experience in the following areas:

• Programming skills for scientific data analysis (e.g., Python, R)
• Significant experience in population genomics and phylogenetics
• Significant experience in working with whole-genome data
• Significant experience in carrying out scientific literature searches, and preparing literature reviews for further analysis
• Extensive experience in developing and working on research projects, including expertise in using research protocols, experimental design, ethics submissions and grant applications
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with sound negotiating and conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated level of tact and discretion in dealing with day-to-day operational matters
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving matters that may arise as part of normal daily work
• Good understanding of relevant aspects of the Work Health and Safety Policy and relevant legislation, including Safe Laboratory Practices, as applicable to the work environment

About us

The Faculty of Science is one of six faculties operating within the University and includes the Schools of Chemistry, Geosciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Psychology, the Sydney School of Veterinary Science and the Unit for History and Philosophy of Science. The Faculty stewards a range of research entities including the Sydney Institute of Agriculture and the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, and partners with University-wide research centres including the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC), the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) and the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (AINST).

The School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) is a new School consisting of staff previously in the Schools of Biological Sciences and Molecular Biosciences, the Faculty of Veterinary Science, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, and forms part of the Division of Natural Sciences. The creation of SOLES is a major component of the broader Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LEES) program designed to significantly improve the quality and efficiency of teaching and build new infrastructure to support and enhance capacity in research and teaching. It is a large School divided into five research and teaching clusters each with its own Chair.

http://sydney.edu.au/science/biology/meep

How to apply

For more information on the position and University, please view the position description available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website.  Visit https://sydney.edu.au/about-us/careers-at-sydney.htmland search by the reference number 516/0320F to apply.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Routine pre-employment probity checks will be carried out for this position.

Closing date: 11:30pm, Tuesday, 31 March 2020 (Sydney Time)

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications are encouraged from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.