At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop advanced tissue models to study zoonotic pathogens and collaborate on global disease research.
- Company: Join CSIRO, Australia's leading science agency tackling major challenges through innovative research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career development.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive environment with excellent growth opportunities and support for diverse backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in disease research while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant fields and less than three years of research experience required.
The predicted salary is between 113000 - 113000 $ per year.
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Role highlights
- Develop advanced tissue models to study high-consequence zoonotic pathogens
- Apply virology, cell biology and imaging in high-containment research
- Collaborate globally to advance disease research and medical countermeasures
About CSIRO
As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.
The opportunity
CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant research experience. These Fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system. The successful candidate will develop and optimise an advanced tissue platform (precision-cut tissue explants) for high-consequence pathogen research. Key activities will include tissue culture, virology, molecular and cellular biology, biological imaging and pathology, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific publications. You will work within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to studies supporting disease pathogenesis, medical countermeasure evaluation, and advanced non-animal disease models. The role will also provide opportunities for training in high-containment research, collaboration with national and international partners, and career development towards an independent research scientist position.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Work in a microbiologically secure laboratory (PC2, 3, 4) as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
- Develop, optimise and apply precision-cut tissue explant (PCTE) models to investigate host-pathogen interactions, viral pathogenesis and tissue-specific responses in physiologically relevant ex vivo systems.
- Conduct virological, molecular and cellular analyses, and interpret complex experimental datasets.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and contribute to scientific publications, reports and grant applications.
- Support the supervision and mentoring of students and early-career researchers where appropriate.
- Maintain high standards of laboratory practice and ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, animal ethics and institutional requirements.
Role particulars
- Location: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Geelong, VIC
- Salary: AU$103k - AU$113k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation
- Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years, Full-time
- Reference: 104064
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
Essential criteria
- A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD). The doctorate must be in a relevant discipline area, such as virology, cell biology and/or advanced cell culture.
- Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of relevant research experience.
- Experience in cell biology and advanced cell or tissue culture systems, with the ability to establish, maintain and characterise physiologically relevant biological models.
- High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.
- A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.
- A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in virology and infectious disease research.
- Experience in biological imaging and/or pathology
- Demonstrated experience and competency working within PC3 and/or PC4 biocontainment facilities.
Setting you up for success
We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation.
Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities.
Inclusion and belonging
Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong.
CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.
Child safety
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs.
Applications close 22 November 2026, 11:00pm AEDT.
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