UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Research Associate
School of Mathematics and Statistics
Division of Information Technology, Engineering, Environment
Mawson Lakes
Academic Level Research Associate (ARAS) Level 1
Three Year Fixed Term Contract
Fraction 1.0

REPORTS TO:
Director of the Phenomics and Bioinformatics Research Centre, with indirect reporting relationship to the Head of School of Mathematics and Statistics

NATURE OF APPOINTMENT:
Three year fixed term contract
Fraction - 1.0
Classification - Academic Level ARAS
Salary range - $57,527-$61,750 pro rata (current) Total Remuneration Package approximately - $63K - $68K The total remuneration package includes salary, employer super contributions of up to 9% salary and annual leave loading.

PURPOSE OF POSITION
To conduct research under a Department of Education, Science and Training, International Science Linkage Project.

The project concerns the development, based on genetic data, of a comparative map between wheat genome and the barley physical map. The purpose of the project is to establish whether the barley physical map can be used to accelerate assembly of the corresponding wheat region. Information, to be shared between international collaborative partners and obtained from equivalent regions of barley and wheat genomes, aims to provide a new view of genome structure and evolution and be used to develop the best strategy for a full physical map and genome sequencing of wheat.

POSITION ENVIRONMENT
UniSA is South Australia's largest university, providing a number of quality undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the areas of Engineering and Information Technology, Health Science, Education and Arts and Business. The School of Mathematics & Statistics is located on two campuses, the City West Campus and the Mawson Lakes Campus, and hosts four undergraduate programs and one postgraduate program by coursework. The School is recognized nationally and internationally for its research excellence in areas of applied mathematics, mathematical modelling, optimal control, operations research, stochastic process modelling, applied statistics, experimental design, phenomics and financial mathematics. Currently, 22 PhD students are enrolled in the School, which is involved in three Cooperative Research Centres and holds 12 Australian Research Council grants. The School is now in the process of establishing a Phenomics and Bioinformatics Research Centre, whose aim is to act as a link between research strengths in the School and the research partner, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG).

The ACPFG is a leader in biotechnology and molecular plant breeding, employing frontier techniques such as bioinformatics and positional cloning to address the practical problems of Australia's changing landscape and soil conditions. Details can be found at http://www.acpfg.com.au.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position reports to the Director of the Phenomics and Bioinformatics Research Centre, with indirect relationship to the Head of School of Mathematics and Statistics.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
To conduct an analysis of the relationship between barley 7H and the wheat chromosomes and develop a strategy for using the barley physical map to produce wheat maps of the wheat group 7 chromosomes.

SPECIFIC DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Key Scientific Responsibilities:
a) Identify new markers in 5 regions of 7H
b) Anchor new markers onto BAC clones of barley and assemble them in contigs
c) Genetically map BAC-end sequences of barley physical map onto
wheat chromosomes 7
d) Build the comparative map between barley and wheat for 5 regions
along the chromosome 7

2. Coordinate collaboration between the ACPFG, the PBRC in the School
and international partner, the Scottish Crop Research Institute.

3. Organise biological data for access to all partners in the project.

4. Work with other researchers, research assistants and PhD students in a team, particularly with co-investigators and colleagues at the ACPFG

5. Report on research methods and outcomes in collaboration with others, through seminars, conference presentations and preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer reviewed journals

6. Actively participate in the performance management process and in professional development activities.

7. Other duties as directed by the Director of the Centre.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Staff must follow and apply the following:

- Engage with OHSW&IM activities through participation in local area
implementation of the system.
- Contribute to the improvement of the OHSW&IM system through
participation in consultative forums.
- Adopt work practices that support the OHSW&IM system.
- Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others.

The duties as specified above may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the position.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential

1. A PhD or equivalent in molecular biology or genetics or a closely associated field.

2. Developed research, analytical, and report writing skills evidenced by recent publications.

3. Demonstrated ability to communicate research results in peer reviewed publications, reports and through seminars or conference presentations.

4. Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to work productively and to meet target deadlines.

Desirable

1. Experience in cereal genomics or genetics. More specifically,

2. Experience with standard molecular technologies, including DNA extraction, cloning, PCR and sequencing.

LOCATION:
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Division of Information Technology, Engineering and Environment

CAMPUS:
Mawson Lakes Campus
Please note: Appointment is to the University. The appointee may be required to undertake duties at other locations. In particular, the appointee may be required to undertake field work and duties at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Professor Stanley J. Miklavcic
Head of School
Telephone: 61 8 8302 3788
Fax: 61 8 8302 5785
Email: Delphine Fleury (Delpine.fleury@acpfg.com.au).
Or
stan.miklavcic@unisa.edu.au

LODGEMENT DETAILS:
Please send your original application plus 4 copies, printed on white A4 bond paper to: Ms Alison Loffler
Human Resource Administrator
University of South Australia
MC2-20, Mawson Lakes Campus,
MAWSON LAKES SA 5095.
Telephone: 61 8 8302 3968
Fax: 61 8 8302 5795
Email: ITEEApplications@unisa.edu.au

APPLICATION COVER SHEET:
All applicants must complete the Application Cover Sheet, http://www.newdev.unisa.edu.au/hrm/careers/app_cov_sheet.doc.

Please provide the name and address of (2 or 3) persons from whom confidential references may be sought.

To assist the selection committee to make a decision on the position, applicants are strongly advised to address each essential and desirable criterion in their application. Please click on "Information for applicants", http://www.unisa.edu.au/hrm/careers/info.asp, for further information.