Research Associate

The Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) at Curtin University brings together university expertise in plant pathology, microbiology, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, data science, geographical information systems, farming systems, agribusiness, and actuarial science. CCDM has strong industry partners and focus on research to overcome key challenges in the horticulture and broadacre agricultural industries.

Fungicides are widely used to protect crops from pathogens, but their longevity, biotransformation and behaviour in different species is understudied and fungicides are often used without knowing whether they provided the assumed protection. The successful applicant will use an OrbiTrap Exploris 120 housed in CCDM, to examine the in-planta longevity, biotransformation, movement, and distribution of fungicides.

Curtin University is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2018 and QS World University Rankings 2019) and is placed 20th in the world for universities less than 50 years old (QS Top 50 Under 50 2019). Curtin is WA’s most preferred university, with highly engaged industry-facing partners. A major global player, with well-integrated campuses in Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Dubai.

Research at the CCDM looks for solutions to fungal diseases for use by crop breeders and growers. Fungicides are widely used to protect crops from pathogens, but their longevity, biotransformation and behaviour in different species is understudied. You will use a recently acquired and fully maintained OrbiTrap Exploris 120 to examine the in-planta longevity, biotransformation, movement, and distribution of agrochemicals. You will have the opportunity to collaborate in other projects using the capabilities of the mass spectrometer and encouraged to develop parallel new research ideas. The OrbiTrap Exploris 120 is highly sensitive and ideally suited to small molecules and peptides up to 10 amino acids with samples that are not limited.

In this role you will

• Find bio transformed agrochemical derivatives and help characterise them by MS/MS
• Quantify fungicides and their metabolites within plant extracts
• Communicate with a broad scientific team including proteins biochemists, organic synthetic chemists, plant pathologists, geneticists and bioinformaticians
• Support staff and co-supervise students in aspects mass spectrometry

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or an equivalent relevant field.
• A background in mass spectrometry and familiarity with mass spectrometers
• Experience in chemical characterisation by mass spectrometry
• Experience in quantitative mass spectrometry
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication

• Advanced MS/MS instrument experience
• Post-graduate organic chemistry experience
• Familiarity with PC2 and quarantine laboratory procedures

• Easily accessible location with great parking, bus station and end of trip facilities.
• A vibrant campus with gym, childcare, wellness programs, medical and counselling services.
• Opportunity for ongoing career development.
• We are ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2020 and QS World University Rankings 2021)

For further information on Curtin’s employee benefits visit https://about.curtin.edu.au

Next steps

Please apply on-line with a cover letter addressing the position requirements and a resume to enable us to assess your suitability for the role.

To view a copy of the Academic Role Statement, please copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/sender/?s=download&token=6c888db7-03c3-471e-8b6f-09200b0b78c5   

Applications close: 10.00pm AWST 23 June 2022

Contact details

If you have any queries in relation to the requirements of the role please contact Josh Mylne, Deputy Director, CCDM on [email protected]

If you have a query in relation to the application process, please contact our careers team on [email protected]