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The opportunity

• ​​​​​​Bring expertise in infectious disease virology for diagnostic or research purposes 
• Work within a supportive, rewarding, and collaborative team environment
• Help make a difference in the unique environment at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

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The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), formerly the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), our national biocontainment research facility, is a vital part of Australia’s biosecurity infrastructure. Our team works closely with researchers, and animal and human health agencies to protect Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock and aquaculture industries, and the general public, from emerging infectious disease threats.

In this role as an experienced and skilled senior diagnostic virologist you will lead the Diagnostic Mammalian Virology Team which is a part of the Diagnostics and Mammalian Infectious Disease Research (DMIDR) group. You will be a part of a multidisciplinary laboratory-based group that provides diagnostic and research capability for the investigation of and response to high impact and emerging diseases affecting livestock and other animals, including zoonotic agents.  

This is an exciting opportunity for you to lead a team working in a microbiologically secure (PC-3) laboratory as the line manager responsible for diagnostic scientists and technicians and various outputs relating to the provision of quality assured laboratory diagnostic services and associated R&D projects.  A particular focus will be on laboratory testing for exotic and infectious animal diseases of veterinary significance, disease surveillance, innocuity testing (testing imported biologicals to demonstrate absence of adventitious agents) and testing of other relevant biological samples.

Your duties will include:

• Provide leadership, direction, and communications to team members necessary to ensure accurate and informed diagnostic testing and reporting, production of reagents and reference materials, delivery of project work and effective team operations.
• Ensure transition of new diagnostic tests from research to routine use, managing test development and validation activities according to guidelines developed by SCAHLS and WOAH.
• Develop and maintain a network of professional contacts with staff in Australian state jurisdictional, university and commercial laboratories that have responsibilities for emergency animal or zoonotic disease response management and associated laboratory testing.
• Collaborate with other ACDP scientists to publish results of investigations and service activities in official reports, industry meetings and scientific publications, and manage publication plans in line with research project delivery.
• Working with line management to develop teamwork planning objectives that are aligned with group and performance goals and related KPIs for service provision and R&D activities.
• Contribute to the maintenance of laboratory practices and standards to meet the QA/QC requirements for testing and reporting outputs under NATA/ISO17025 and BSI/ISO9001 accreditation standards.
• Provide expertise and meet responsibilities of quality systems Technical Manager for Diagnostic Mammalian Virology.
• Maintain current knowledge on the major transboundary and emergency animal diseases of international or zoonotic concern, including their aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and control, and on modern and emerging testing technologies, and apply them to DSR projects, as appropriate.

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

Salary: AU$126k - AU$148k plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 3 years / Full-time

Reference: 96317

To be considered you will need:

Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

•    Degree in an applicable field of science with a PhD or equivalent experience in virology or a related field. 
•    Demonstrated high level of scientific knowledge, competence, and record of achievement in veterinary and/or medical infectious disease virology for diagnostic or research purposes.
•    Demonstrated theoretical and practical expertise in the development, validation, application and reporting of a broad range of virus isolation and or antigen detection assays.
•    Demonstrated experience in the management of a laboratory Quality Assurance system, accredited by NATA or equivalent authority, to a recognized international standard such as ISO/IEC 17025, and a demonstrated knowledge of compliance issues.
•    Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, negotiation and representational skills, including the ability to document results and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients in order to meet project goals and timelines.
•    Demonstrated managerial and leadership skills, including an ability to manage projects, supervise staff and students, work collaboratively with team members, other team leaders and line management, and to form and maintain effective and respectful relationships with a range of colleagues and collaborators.
 

Desirable
•    Expertise in transboundary or zoonotic animal diseases, preferably involving the laboratory-based study or management of one or more such diseases, including a record of publications in quality peer reviewed international journals.
 

For full details about this role please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

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

The appointee must be able to meet ACDP’s Microbiological Security and Security Clearance requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a detailed cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please note that we strongly encourage you to respond to each of the selection criteria in detail, and attach it to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

12 May 2024, 11:00pm AEST