Jobs in Parasitology

Australian Seafood CRC Postgraduate Scholarship

In collaboration with the University of Tasmania and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, the Australian Seafood CRC offers a scholarship of $26,140 per annum (indexed yearly) for three years for a Postgraduate Student. The scholarship has an additional operating budget of $5,000 per year for three years and $300 towards thesis binding in the third year. A further $1,000 per year is also available for defined mentor activities to be approved by the CRC. As a Seafood CRC student the successful candidate will be fully engaged in the CRC PhD program which will support the development of the student as a scientist in a number of innovative ways through annual workshops and mentoring programs (see www.seafoodcrc.com).

Project Description
We are looking to appoint a postgraduate scholar to work on a project that is investigating the generation of mucosal antibodies to Neoparamoeba perurans attachment proteins as a way of vaccinating against amoebic gill disease (AGD). This project aims to identify the most efficacious vaccination method and best candidate protein antigens(s) that can be utilised to drive the immune response toward blocking attachment of the parasite and hence result in a vaccine with the maximal efficacy toward AGD.

The student will be enrolled through the University of Tasmania, Launceston but will also spend time at the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Laboratories in Hobart. The student will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Barbara Nowak and Dr Phil Crosbie from the University of Tasmania and also by Dr Mathew Cook from CSIRO. All three supervisors have a strong background in fish health research, in particular relating to epidemiology, vaccine and challenge system development for AGD.

Selection criteria - essential
1. Minimum of a 2A honours degree, master's degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. Molecular Biology, Aquaculture or Biotechnology).

2. Ability and experience in working both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

3. Strong written and oral communication skills, including an ability to publish and present results of scientific research and to communicate in a variety of scientific and non-scientific forums.

4. Knowledge, understanding and commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity, OccupationalHealth and Safety, Workplace Diversity and Employee Participation.

Selection criteria - desirable
5. A commitment to applied research and an interest in supporting the development of Australia's seafood industry

6. Demonstrated ability to conduct live animal experiments, preferably with aquatic species.

7. Demonstrated ability to perform laboratory based procedures (e.g. affinity chromatography, microscopy, immunological assays (ELISA, Western Blot), PCR).

Other information
Applicants are required to include two documents: (1) a document addressing the selection criteria and (2) a "Resume or CV" including the names of at least two referees. Applications should be mailed to the following address or sent electronically to B.Nowak@utas.edu.au

Assoc. Prof. Barbara Nowak
National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability
University of Tasmania
Locked Bag 1370
Launceston, TAS, Australia 7250

For further details please contact:

Assoc. Prof. Barbara Nowak, National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS Email: B.Nowak@utas.edu.au

OR;

Dr Mathew Cook, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 10041 Adelaide BC, SA 5000. Email: Mathew.cook@csiro.au