CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Zoonotic Pathogens & Advanced Cell Models

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Develop advanced tissue models to study high-consequence zoonotic pathogens
• Apply virology, cell biology and imaging in high-containment research
• Collaborate globally to advance disease research and medical countermeasures

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years relevant research experience.  These Fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

The successful candidate will develop and optimise an advanced tissue platform (precision-cut tissue explants) for high-consequence pathogen research. Key activities will include tissue culture, virology, molecular and cellular biology, biological imaging and pathology, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific publications. You will work within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to studies supporting disease pathogenesis, medical countermeasure evaluation, and advanced non-animal disease models. The role will also provide opportunities for training in high-containment research, collaboration with national and international partners, and career development towards an independent research scientist position. 

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Work in a microbiologically secure laboratory (PC2, 3, 4) as part of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Develop, optimise and apply precision-cut tissue explant (PCTE) models to investigate host-pathogen interactions, viral pathogenesis and tissue-specific responses in physiologically relevant ex vivo systems.
• Conduct virological, molecular and cellular analyses, and interpret complex experimental datasets.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and contribute to scientific publications, reports and grant applications.
• Support the supervision and mentoring of students and early-career researchers where appropriate.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory practice and ensure compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, animal ethics and institutional requirements.

Role particulars

Location: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Geelong, VIC

Salary: AU$103k - AU$113k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years, Full-time        

Reference: 104064

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD). The doctorate must be in a relevant discipline area, such as virology, cell biology and/or advanced cell culture. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (full-time equivalent) of relevant research experience.
• Experience in cell biology and advanced cell or tissue culture systems, with the ability to establish, maintain and characterise physiologically relevant biological models.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• A sound history of publication in peer reviewed journals and/or authorship of scientific papers, reports, grant applications or patents.
• A record of science innovation and creativity, including the ability & willingness to incorporate novel ideas and approaches into scientific investigations. 
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience in virology and infectious disease research.
• Experience in biological imaging and/or pathology
• Demonstrated experience and competency working within PC3 and/or PC4 biocontainment facilities.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description. 

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Laura Mason via Careers.Online@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

How to apply 

Please apply online and submit a CV and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the selection criteria of this role.

Applications close 

22 November 2026, 11:00pm AEDT

We will review applications as they are received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.