Assistant Research Fellow - Biochemistry

Assistant Research Fellow - Biochemistry-2300837

 

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

About us/Mō mātou

The Biochemistry Department is a large research and teaching department housed in a well-equipped building. We teach biochemistry, genetics, plant biotechnology, and related subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and carries out research into how life works at the molecular level.

The role/Te mahi

An Assistant Research Fellow position is available to assist Doctor Matthias Fellner with microbiological/ biochemical studies as part of a grant-funded project at the Department of Biochemistry. In this role, you will carry out research aimed at determining roles of lipases in Staphylococcus aureus biofilm lipid modulation.

The main research component of this role is tasked to create Staphylococcus aureus samples for Mass spectrometry and Nuclear magnetic resonance lipidomics/metabolomic analysis. This will include training to grow various Staphylococcus aureus strains at the laboratory of Dr Daniel Pletzer at the adjacent Department of Microbiology and Immunology. In addition, work will include aiding Dr Fellner and students in his laboratory in protein production from Escherichia coli, like preparation of competent cells, plasmids, growth media, buffers and SDS-PAGE gels.

The ideal candidate will have a background in microbiology with interest in gaining additional experience in one of the fields of biofilms, protein biochemistry, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, lipidomics or metabolomics.

Candidates from Māori and Pacific Island communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates need to be enthusiastic, enjoy working with students, and working as part of a collaborative research team.

Skills and experience/Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

Successful candidates will have:
•    A postgraduate qualification in Microbiology, Biochemistry or related discipline with some experience in a research laboratory.
•    Experience culturing gram positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus bacteria for further analysis or related microbiology work.
•    Experience with bacterial biofilms will be beneficial.
•    Experience with mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance or lipidomics/metabolomics in general will be beneficial.
•    Experience with protein production from Escherichia coli will be beneficial.
•    Careful and meticulous in record-keeping and experimental work.

Further details/Pūroko

This is a fixed-term appointment (up to 22 months), full- and part-time appointments will be considered (minimum 0.3 FTE). The position commences in July 2023 with some flexibility, and is located in Dunedin.

The salary for this position ranges from $54,591 to $74,781 per year. Should the successful candidate take up a part-time appointment, the salary will be the pro-rata equivalent.

Specific enquiries should be directed to Dr Matthias Fellner, Department of Biochemistry via the contact details below.

Application/Tono

To submit your application please click the apply button below. Applications quoting reference number 2300837 will close on Sunday, 11 June 2023. Applications will be considered as they are received. The University reserves the right to close this vacancy at any time.

Additional Information

Contact: Matthias Fellner

Position details: Information Statement

Guidelines for Academic Positions: Guidelines

Further Information: Department Website

Create an email with a link to this vacancy: Create email

Location: About Dunedin

Primary Location
 NZL-SI-Dunedin
Employment Status
 Fixed Term 
Salary Level and Range
 Assistant Research Fellow ($54,591 to $74,781)
Organisation
 Biochemistry
Job Function
 Research