Synthetic Biologist

PRIMARY DETAIL

• Build networks and collaborate with industry leaders
• From $104,726 to $ $113,545 per annum (HEW Level 7), plus 17% employer's superannuation and annual leave loading
• Full-time, 2 years fixed term. Based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde)

THE ROLE

The Faculty of Science and Engineering is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Synthetic Biologist to join our newly established Australian Genome Foundry (AGF).

In this newly created role, you will provide technical leadership and apply your synthetic biology and microbiology expertise across academic and industry projects and contribute to the success of the AGF through communication and collaboration with academics, industry, and AGF team members.

Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, you will:

• Provide advice and advanced synthetic and molecular biology, microbiology, and flow cytometry/cell sorting expertise across our biofoundry facility

• Design biological systems such as plasmids, gene knockouts, gene circuits, and metabolic pathways

• Undertake method development for: high throughput DNA assembly; genomic modification; microbial transformation, culturing, and screening; automated platforms, including liquid handling robots; metabolite/protein extraction; and flow cytometry/cell sorting

• Act as technical lead role for assigned projects, ensuring technical scope is clearly articulated and understood, develop best fit solutions and work with team members and key stakeholders to deliver in scope components on time and to budget

• Liaise with AGF users to develop client projects, provide advice for quote development and provide project updates

• Produce documentation for project proposals, publications, project reviews, systems analysis and tests, and for operations and maintenance manuals

• Present results/methodologies at project reviews, project meetings and conferences

• Mentor and support team members and contribute to research activities

About You

You are an experienced scientist with technical leadership and molecular and microbiology expertise in delivering synthetic biology and metabolic engineering solutions. You have extensive experience working with flow cytometry and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) within complex multi-stakeholder environments. You thrive working in a collaborative team.

You have excellent communication and collaboration skills. You have strong conceptual and analytical skills. You are solutions focussed, agile with the ability to build rapport and manage effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

About Us

Located at Macquarie University and within the Faculty of Science and Engineering , the Australian Genome Foundry is a high-throughput strain engineering facility with a highly automated workflow. This means rather than having a researcher building one strain at a time manually, the same researcher could build hundreds or thousands of strains in parallel using our robotic platforms. The Australian Genome Foundry is capable of synthesizing complete eukaryotic chromosomes and consists of modular robotic platforms capable of automated construction and analysis of synthetic microbial strains.

We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value a diverse research environment. If you are interested in the role but you are not sure you have all the necessary skills, please apply and let us decide.

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation 58 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today .

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five-star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability. Take a look at the staff benefits on offer.

To Apply                                                                                                                                       

To be considered for this position, please apply online and attach your resume and a separate cover letter that outlines how you meet the selection criteria below:

Essential:

• Doctoral degree in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, microbiology, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience

• Flow cytometry and FACS experience

• Significant experience as a technical lead delivering synthetic biology and metabolic engineering solutions

• Excellent collaboration skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with team members and a diverse range of stakeholders, to progress and deliver effective project outcomes

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), including the ability to articulate and explain complex technical concepts or information effectively to a non-expert audience 

• Strong organisational and time management skills including the ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines and work objectives 

• A considered, logical, analytical, and creative approach to problem-solving

• Demonstrated experience with method development for targeted compound quantification

• Sound understanding of synthetic biology, biochemistry and microbiology

Desirable:

• Experience with liquid handling robotics and automation

• Experience with analytical chemistry

• Experience with bioreactor fermentation

• Experience in contributing to project proposals and reviewing technical specifications and reports

• A mindset of continuous improvement and innovation and keeping current with issues affecting the industry and its technologies

Enquiries: Briardo Llorente, Chief Scientific Officer, Australian Genome Foundry via e-mail: [email protected]

Applications Close: Sunday, 11 February 2024 at 11:59PM (AEST)

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

11/02/2024 11:59 PM

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation and ingenuity thrive at Macquarie University when diversity, equity and inclusion take centre stage. At the University, we embrace a culture where diversity of background, experience and perspective are fundamental to our success.

We do not discriminate on gender identity, age, culture, disability, sexuality, Indigeneity, family and caring responsibilities or religion. See our journey towards leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education.

Flexible Work
 

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub .