Postdoctoral Fellow in Biosecurity
| Published | July 29, 2022 |
| Expires | August 14, 2022 |
| Location | Gatton, QLD, Australia |
| Category | Academic and University Positions |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Closing Date | 16/09/2022 |
| Salary | R-13859 |
| Reference Number | $72,144.35 to $96,530.67 plus super of up to 17% |
| Contact Name | Ricardo Soares Magalhaes |
Description
- School of Veterinary Science
- Academic Level A
- Full-Time, Fixed-Term Position for 2 Years
- Closing Date: 16 September 2022 (R-13859)
About This Opportunity
The Postdoctoral Fellow in Biosecurity and Emerging Infections will work collaboratively on research projects related to environmental drivers of infectious disease emergence, transmission, and outbreaks. You will be jointly supervised by UQ’s HEAL CIs and AIs with expertise and strong research track records in clinical infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, environmental health, microbiological sciences, veterinary medicine, spatial epidemiology, and infectious disease modelling.
You will engage with industry/government partners (biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, start-ups and SMEs, Queensland Health and Biosecurity Queensland) and will also work with HEAL research theme leads and domain scientists across HEAL partner institutions to support the field data collection of biological samples, laboratory analysis of samples and statistical analysis protocols.
On joining the team, the you will coordinate biological sample collection within target species and environments, engineer raw human and animal disease notification and environmental data into analysis-ready formats and deploy data analysis models to support the generation of epidemiological evidence on the links between environmental change and emerging infectious disease risk. You will develop cross-disciplinary projects that harness the diverse skills of the UQ supervisors and build collaborations with the wider HEAL network and associated stakeholders nationally.
Key responsibilities include:
- Carry out innovative, impactful emerging infectious disease research of importance to HEAL partners that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
- Explore emerging infectious disease modelling and analysis technologies that could further strengthen Australia’s preparedness for zoonotic risks and the incursion of zoonotic threats as a result of environmental change.
- Interrogate human and animal health databases that host large-scale time-series and spatial data on human and animal environmentally driven-zoonoses
- Recognise and exploit opportunities for innovation and the generation of new data science theoretical modelling perspectives, and progress opportunities for the further development or creation of new lines of infectious disease modelling research.
- Other duties as required, appropriate to the level of the position.
Citizenship and Service
- Demonstrate citizenship behaviours that align to the UQ values.
- Shows leadership of self through collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit
- Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.
- Contribute to internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.
- Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.
- Begin to develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community
Other
Ensure you are aware of and comply with legislation and University policy relevant to the duties undertaken, including but not exclusive to:
- The University’s Code of Conduct.
- Requirements of the Queensland occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation and related OH&S responsibilities and procedures developed by the University or Institute/School.
- The adoption of sustainable practices in all work activities and compliance with associated legislation and related University sustainability responsibilities and procedures.
- Requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, the National Code 2007 and associated legislation, and related responsibilities and procedures developed by the University.
About You
- A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as microbiology, data science, epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, environmental modelling, data analytics or applied mathematics.
- Strong quantitative reasoning, problem solving and analytical skills in pathogen genetics and/or infectious disease transmission modelling and epidemiology.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skills in applying analytical methods for modelling infectious diseases including the ability to conduct pathogen genetic analysis and develop and validate statistical models to uncover infection risk factors.
- Experience in field and/or laboratory investigations of infectious diseases.
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team to coordinate field work for microbiological data collection and/or develop laboratory analysis protocols.
- 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.
Desirable
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of zoonotic disease epidemiology.
- Proficiency with research-level programming data analysis languages/packages such as R statistical software or Python.
- Experience with time-series analysis and/or spatial analysis models of infectious diseases considering environmental variation.
- Previous experience developing field data collection and laboratory protocols for infectious diseases.
What We can Offer
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 2 years at Academic Level A.
The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $72,144.35 to $96,530.67 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $84,408.89 to $112,940.88 per annum.
For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ and review The University of Queensland's Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2018 - 2021.
Questions?
To discuss this role please contact Associate Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhães
For application queries, please contact recruitment@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number in the subject line.
Want to Apply?
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
- Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section
- Resume
Please note that you will be asked to add all documents into the one upload box during the application form.
To satisfy pre-requisite questions and ensure your application can be considered in full, all candidates must apply via the UQ Careers portal by the job closing deadline or will not be accepted.
Other Information
Work Rights
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Background Checks
All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. Our Diversity and Inclusion webpage contains further information if you require additional support. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to recruitment@uq.edu.au.
If you are a current employee of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.
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