Research Officer

The Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD)
The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Job Reference Number: 17392

 Position Requirements | Salary | Superannuation | Term of Position | Further Information | Applications

An exciting opportunity exists for a Research Officer to join the Advanced DNA Forensic Facility (ADFF) that has been recently established in The Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) at the University of Adelaide.  The ADFF will operate as an advanced forensic research centre and as a semi-commercial provider of specialists DNA identification services for highly degraded human remains.

The ADFF takes advantage of the specialist ancient DNA laboratories and infrastructure and an active research and development program focused on “ancient” DNA profiling techniques to design and implement powerful new methods for DNA based identification. ACAD’s ancient DNA research facility provides an international standard laboratory, unique in the Southern Hemisphere, to handle and analyze human remains in a contamination free environment. The laboratory is geographically isolated from other DNA facilities to prevent cross contamination and utilizes highly stringent HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered positive air pressure, UV irradiation and other decontamination measures, combined with strict personal protective equipment and personnel workflow to ensure a DNA free working environment.

While the Facility has major existing strengths in the forensic field due to the existing infrastructure, research personnel and cutting edge R&D programs, the technical resources and quality assurance programs necessary to deliver the highest standard of services to external clients is currently missing.

The Research Officer will be primarily responsible for developing and implementing the accreditation and quality assurance systems and will also provide additional capacity to deal with the current and expected future, forensic workload. Specifically, the Research Officer will be responsible for optimising, documenting and validating a range of existing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing assays for mitochondrial, Y-chromosome and autosomal DNA analysis, developing and implementing suitable quality assurance procedures and assisting with the ADFF obtaining NATA accreditation.

Under general direction the Research Officer will provide the critical method validation, NATA accreditation and quality assurance systems to enable the ADFF to meet minimum national standards for forensic biology and to deliver high quality DNA identifications to external clients.

 

Position Requirements

You should have:

• A degree in forensic science or molecular biology with subsequent relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• Knowledge of forensic method validation procedures and documentation requirements
• Knowledge of NATA accreditation procedures and documentation requirements
• Demonstrated high level organisation skills, including the ability to manage competing deadlines and pay attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience with forensic quality assurance practices
• Demonstrated experience with forensic DNA laboratory practices and/or molecular biology skills
• Demonstrated experience and ability to work in multidisciplinary or diverse team environments
• High-level computer skills in Microsoft Office products and genotyping software such as GeneMapper.
   

 

Salary

Salary: (HEO6) $62,155 - $67,300 per annum.

 

Superannuation

Plus an employer superannuation contribution of 9% applies

 

Term of Position

This one year fixed term contract is available immediately.

 

Further Information

Please refer to the position description, or alternatively contact Dr Jeremy Austin on +61 8313 4557 or email jeremy.austin@adelaide.edu.au

 

Applications

Closing date: 18 May 2012

Your application should:

• include your résumé/Curriculum Vitae
• address the knowledge and experience and qualifications section of the Position Description
• quote the relevant reference number
• include residency status
• include the names, addresses and/or email details of three referees.

Email applications to karen.lancaster@adelaide.edu.au or forward to:

Mrs Karen Lancaster
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences
The University of Adelaide
South Australia, 5005