Research Technician - Plant Tissue Culture and Gene Editing

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The opportunity

• Apply your skills in plant tissue culture & molecular biology to a varied role
• Contribute to strategic research projects focused on developing gene-edited crops
• Great opportunity to join Australia’s national science & innovation agency!

We are currently seeking a motivated Research Technician to join our ‘Clonal Crops Trait Improvement’ team in Adelaide!
 

CSIRO’s ‘Crops’ research program broadly focuses on providing genetic solutions to improve yield, protect crops from major diseases and insect pests, and apply modern pre‐breeding and breeding technologies to increase the productivity and value of major Australian food and beverage crops. We collaborate with industry to create real impact and enable sustainable crops in an evolving environment.
 

In this hands-on lab-based role, you will join our dynamic ‘Clonal Crops Trait Improvement’ team in Adelaide, that is at the forefront of developing breakthrough DNA-free gene-editing methodologies to improve the sustainability and profitability of the Australian wine sector through the generation of improved clones of existing winegrape varieties. You will bring your skills & experience in plant tissue culture techniques, molecular biology, and genetic transformation of plant material, to undertake a variety of plant tissue culture tasks, design and perform experiments & laboratory analyses, and assist the team in delivering cutting-edge scientific research in the areas of plant tissue culture and gene editing. This position will be essential in contributing to externally-funded projects focused on the development of gene-edited perennial crops. Working across teams and projects, this multi-faceted role will also require strong problem-solving, teamwork, communication and multi-tasking capabilities.
 

If you are an early-career research technician with a keen interest in the plant tissue culture field & new breeding technologies, this would be a great opportunity to build your career within a reputed R&D organisation, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team. CSIRO champions in providing a diverse & inclusive culture and offers you excellent professional development opportunities to grow your skills & career, so we would love to hear from you!

Your duties will include:

• Contributing to the development and delivery of cutting-edge scientific research in the areas of plant tissue culture and gene editing.
• Undertaking plant tissue culture tasks including preparation of media, initiation and maintenance of plant cell cultures, conducting plant gene editing experiments, regeneration of plants and plant propagation.
• Under limited supervision, designing and performing experiments and laboratory analyses, designing new processes by adapting existing techniques to meet special circumstances or undertaking modifications to methods requiring some innovation.
• Working across teams and projects, often on a number of parallel and competing tasks.
• General laboratory/glass house/field maintenance including solution/media preparation, maintenance of glass house and field plants, and maintenance of laboratory supplies.
• Maintaining accurate records of all experimental procedures and results obtained, which underpin future research decisions, publication, and IP protection using an electronic notebook system.

Location: Adelaide, SA (CSIRO Waite Campus site)

Salary: AU$73K – AU$93K pa + up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified Term until 30 June 2027

Reference: 98622

To be considered you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent relevant work experience in Molecular Biology, Plant Physiology, or a related field.
• Experience in plant tissue culture techniques.
• Experience with molecular biology and genetic transformation of plant material.
• Demonstrated excellence in laboratory record keeping and data storage.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proven proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and collaboration tools (MS Teams and SharePoint).
• Demonstrated ability to work with a range of stakeholders in a dynamic team.
• Demonstrated focus on continuous improvement in Health and Safety in the workplace.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be either an Australian Citizen, a New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident.
 

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

9 February 2025, 11:00pm AEDT