Level A ($75,888 to $106,040) per annum plus an employer contribution of up to 17% superannuation applies.
Fixed-term position available for 36 months.
Be part of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) and contribute to world-leading research projects.
This role will develop tools and technologies needed to advance Wolffia as a synthetic biology chassis. These tools will be used to explore cell wall biosynthesis and structure and deliver cell walls optimised for growth and consumption.
Working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary team at the University of Adelaide, and with other P4S partners, the successful candidate will develop new methods for stable and transient transformation of Wolffia, including DNA-free approaches. They will also develop methods to regulate expression of candidate genes to deliver on-demand metabolic engineering. They will use these tools to explore how cell wall synthesis is regulated during vegetative growth.
The tasks of the Postdoctoral Researcher will include:
Developing new methods for transient and stable transformation (including DNA free, such as virus-mediated and/or nanoparticles) Bioinformatic analysis of genomic resources to identify candidate cell-wall related genes critical to vegetative growth and dietary fibre properties Implementing transformation methods to manipulate cell wall composition and application of biochemical/histological methods to determine changes. Outputs will include:
Validated methods for transient and stable transformation of Wolffia A testable model describing cell wall structure and composition during vegetative growth in Wolffia (or closely related aquatic species) Aquatic plants with altered cell wall composition that can be used for testing in synthetic gut assays with P4S collaborators.
This exciting role will contribute to ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space’s goal to re-imagine plant design and bio-resource production to support long-term habitation in Space and solve sustainability challenges on Earth.
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, synthetic biology and bioinformatics. Demonstrated skills in tissue culture and developing plant transformation methods, including CRISPR-based gene editing. 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. Commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Desirable characteristics:
Demonstrated understanding of plant cell walls or glycobiology. Demonstrated skills in microscopy. Enjoy an outstanding career environment
The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space is a > $90 million initiative led by the University of Adelaide with more than 35 partners across Australia and around the world. P4S aims to create on-demand, zero-waste, high efficiency plants and plant products to address grand challenges in sustainability for Space and on Earth. The multi-disciplinary team in plant, food, and sensory science; process and systems engineering; law and policy; and psychology will deliver transformative solution for Space habitation – and create enhanced plant-derived food and bioresources to capitalise upon emergent and rapidly expanding domestic and global markets. Anticipated outcomes include industry uptake of innovative plant forms, foods, technologies, and commodities; and an ambitious education and international co-ordination agenda to position Australia as a global leader in plant-based research supporting Space habitation. Find out more at
The University of Adelaide 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 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. Flexible working arrangements are on offer for all roles at the University.
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.
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