Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Be part of the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and contribute to world-leading research projects at the University. The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Research Centre dedicated to developing advanced biofuels and biomaterials. JBEI is a research partnership led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) in the USA and combining the scientific expertise, resources and support of five national laboratories, eight academic institutions, and one industry partner. The University of Adelaide is the only international partner.

The role will identify and characterise genes responsible for plant cell wall biosynthesis and implement this knowledge to redesign the wall for improved function and application. Working within the University JBEI team, but also in close collaboration with the Emeryville-based JBEI team, as well as other partners, the successful candidate will use in-house methods to develop null mutants in candidate genes via tissue culture and gene editing in Arabidopsis. The position will focus on pectin, and particularly on rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II).

The tasks of the Postdoctoral Researcher will include using methods which include HPAEC-PAD, PACE and MALDI to characterise the resulting cell wall composition and structure. Heterologous expression of proteins, combined with methods such as microscale thermophoresis will also be used to characterise enzyme activity. The postdoc will also co-supervise PhD students and Honours students. Outputs will include characterisation of novel genes, improved methods for RG-II analysis, and a better understanding of cell wall assembly and function.

This position is located at the Waite Campus of the University.

To be successful you will need:

• A completed or nearly completed PhD in Plant Sciences, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Synthetic Biology, Plant Biochemistry or related subject.
• Demonstrated skills in plant molecular biology and biochemistry technique, including plant transformation and tissue culture.
• Demonstrated understanding of cell wall biology.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with an ability to communicate scientific ideas to an expert audience.
• A strong work ethic, and the ability to work well independently, and as a member of a broader team, including with industrial partners.
• Ability to travel overseas and to attend out of hours meetings with US-based team members.
• Commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Understanding of bioinformatics.
• Experience with HPAEC-PAD and HPLC systems.

The University is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career. It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff. We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life. In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is a research institute funded by the United States Department of Energy. JBEI is led by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and includes participation from the Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as well as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Iowa State University, and the University. The goal of The Joint BioEnergy Institute is to develop biofuels, bio-synthesized from lignin derived from corn stover, sorghum and other plant feedstocks as an alternative to fossil fuels. Additionally, there are efforts to produce bio-based chemicals derived from the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass to create bio-based polymers and other commodities such as perfumes, dietary supplements as well as other high-end products. The goal is to use these bio-based chemicals to help finance the change in infrastructure from petroleum fuels to biofuels. JBEI functions as an incubator for scientific discovery bringing together the best and brightest researchers from around the country and the globe.

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.