Bioinformatics Helpdesk Officer
ACPFG School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Job Reference Number:

Based at the Waite campus of the University of Adelaide, the Bioinformatics Helpdesk Officer will work at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG).

You will be part of ACPFG’s bioinformatics team and provide bioinformatics support and training for researchers, focussing on areas in bioinformatics including basic principles of sequence analysis and alignments, database searches, and the use of bioinformatics software in general. In addition, you will be expected to undertake support projects as part of the service which may include some scripting and webpage design/maintenance.

Liaison with researchers at the other nodes of ACPFG (Melbourne and Brisbane) will require some interstate travel and telephone consultancy.

You should have:
  • a degree in Life Sciences or Information Technology/Computer Science
  • demonstrated experience in using bioinformatics tools such as BLAST, SignalP and Expasy
  • demonstrated experience in querying biological databases and data mining
  • experience using Windows XP and Office 2007

Salary: (HEO5/6) $46,011 - $60,705 per annum.

Plus an employer superannuation contribution of 17% applies.

This fixed-term position is available immediately until 31 December 2010.

Please refer to the duty statement and selection criteria or alternatively contact Mrs Diane Brennan, telephone: ++61 8 8303 7423 or email: ute.baumann@acpfg.com.au. For further information regarding the position contact Dr Ute Baumann, ute.baumann@acpfg.com.au

Position will remain open until filled

Your application must:
  • include your resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • address the selection criteria
  • quote the relevant reference number
  • include residency status
  • include the names, addresses and/or email details of three referees

Email applications to

ute.baumann@acpfg.com.au



Selection Criteria
  • Degree in Life Sciences or Information Technology/Computer Science
  • Demonstrated experience in using bioinformatics tools such as BLAST, SignalP, Expasy
  • Demonstrated experience in querying biological databases and data mining
  • Experience in Plant Science and especially comparative genomics
  • Experience using Windows XP and Office 2007
  • The ability to work across different disciplines; switch focus as dictated by day-to-day priorities; work independently yet consistently in a high pressure environment
  • A team player with excellent inter-personal and communication skills and ability to work with people with different backgrounds is required

Desirable
  • Scripting/ Programming skills in languages such as Perl, Python or VB, VBA
  • Experience with web technology (Javascript, CSS, HTML, RSS, PHP)
  • Basic knowledge in statistics

Duty Statement
  • Support the ACPFG bioinformatics research group and provide the first point of contact for staff and students at all ACPFG nodes.
  • Assist ACPFG researchers and students with their day-to-day bioinformatics problems
  • Assist with the design and delivery of training courses in bioinformatics for ACPFG staff and students
  • Installation of bioinformatics software, quality assessment, customization and trouble-shooting
  • Provide bioinformatics software advice and assistance
  • Undertake small projects, including developing and maintaining web pages, as part of a team
  • Keep informed on the state-of-the-art bioinformatics technologies and software
  • Perform other cognate duties as directed