Australia: Research Associate

FLINDERS UNIVERSITY • ADELAIDE • AUSTRALIA

POSITION DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Vacancy Reference No: 11036
Major Cost Centre: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Organisational Unit: School of Biological Sciences
Classification: Research Academic Level A
Salary Range: $57 693 to $70 266 pa full-time
Superannuation: Employer contribution of 17% of salary
Employee contribution of 7% of salary
Total Remuneration
Package:
$67 501 to $82 211 pa
The total remuneration package includes salary and
employer superannuation contributions.
Employment Type: Fixed-term, full-time, (2 years in the first instance)
Supervisor (Title): Dr Sophie Leterme
Closing date: 11.00 am Monday, 14 February 2011

KEY PURPOSE
The appointee will work on a collaborative research project between the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences in the Faculty of Science and
Engineering. Infrastructure for this project will be provided by both areas. The project is funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the appointee will investigate the impact of environmental changes on phytoplankton community composition and in particular on the nanostructure of diatoms frustules.

ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
The School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences are two of four Schools in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. In the School of Biological
Sciences the research and teaching foci are Biodiversity and Ecology, Marine Biology and Aquaculture and Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Bioremediation. Areas of teaching
and research in the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences include Physics (atomic, molecular, plasma and nuclear physics), Chemistry (molecular synthesis, molecular dynamics, physical organic chemistry and surface science) and also Nanotechnology and Forensic and Analytical Chemistry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The key responsibilities and selection criteria identified for this position should be read in conjunction with the Flinders University Academic Profiles for the relevant academic classification, available at url: http://www.flinders.edu.au/ppmanual/staff/acprofiles.html.
The appointee will work under the direction of the Chief Investigator of the project – Dr Sophie Leterme and will be required to:
• Facilitate the day-to-day running of the project including the organisation of field trips to the Coorong wetlands, maintaining the phytoplankton cell cultures and identifying the species by inverted microscopy.
• Assessing the phytoplankton genetic diversity
• Undertake isolation of species from the natural phytoplankton communities for culture and laboratory experiments.
• Assessing the nanostructure of diatoms frustules using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy.
• Determine the Si content of the diatoms frustules using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
• Analyse experimental data.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Assist with the supervision of Honours and postgraduate students involved in related projects.

The Research Associate is expected to promote and provide a safe working environment for students, staff and visitors with attention to the requirements of the Occupational Health
Safety and Welfare (OHSW) Act, the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, University OHSW and Injury Management policies and Equal Opportunity Acts applicable to the State in which the position is located. Specific responsibilities are detailed at:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/ppmanual/ohsw/OHSWPP.html#responsibilities
http://www.flinders.edu.au/equal-opportunity/tools_resources/legislation.cfm.

SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO OTHERS
This position has no supervisory responsibilities for either general or academic staff. The appointee will be required to assist with the supervision of Honours and postgraduate students located in both areas.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The appointee will report directly to the Chief Investigator of the project, Dr Sophie Leterme. They will liaise with academic and general staff as well as students in both areas. The appointee will also be required to liaise and collaborate with other researchers and personnel in government departments, including SARDI Aquatic Sciences.

UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS
All staff are expected to:
• contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of the team or work unit in order to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours, providing assistance to team members if required and undertaking other key responsibilities or activities as directed by one’s supervisor;
• perform their responsibilities in a manner which reflects and responds to continuous improvement; and • familiarise themselves with and comply with the University’s Occupational Health and
Safety and Equal Opportunity Policies.

SELECTION CRITERIA
(Note for intending applicants – applicants should address each selection criterion individually and should argue their case by citing evidence to support their claims rather than presenting a list of facts only).

Essential criteria
1. A PhD or near completion in Marine Biology or equivalent.
2. Experience in phytoplankton cell culture and microscopy.
3. Proven capacity to analyse experimental data.
4. Demonstrated ability to work either independently or as part of a team.
5. Evidence of high level written and oral communication skills as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.
6. Well developed organisational skills and ability to prioritise work in a busy work environment.
7. Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exercise judgement in solving programs in relation to day-to-day issues.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the principles of OHS and biosafety in the laboratory / research environment.

Desirable criteria
1. Experience in scanning electron and atomic force microscopy.
2. Experience in Molecular Biology
3. Experience working with personnel in industry based organisations and government departments.
4. Experience supervising Honours or postgraduate students.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
Candidates will be evaluated on merit against all of the various components that make up this Position Description. Assessment will take into account all information that is determined to be
appropriate, e.g. written application, qualifications, interview, work samples, skills testing and referee reports.
The final decision regarding appointment to this position will be based on an assessment of the requirements of the total Position Description.

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STAFF
All intending applicants should read the Essential Information for Applicants, available at url:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/app.php. If you are unable to access this information on the website, please contact the contact person nominated below. Information about Flinders University, living and working in Adelaide, and employment at the
University is available at url: http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/why-work-flinders/whywork-flinders_home.cfm.

CONTACT DETAILS
For further information about the position, contact Dr Sophie Leterme (telephone 8201 5184) or by email at sophie.leterme@flinders.edu.au. Candidates are encouraged to discuss the position with the contact person before sending in a written application.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
E-recruitment is the method by which Flinders University now manages its recruitment process. Applications should be lodged on-line at Jobs@Flinders at url:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment. For details of the on-line application process, please refer to Jobs@Flinders – How to Apply available at url:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/employment/apply.cfm.

Name of Authorising Officer: Prof Warren Lawrance
Executive Dean, Faculty of Science & Engineering
Name of Authorising Officer in Human Resources:
Mr Craig Petho
Date of last update: January 2011