Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Level A/B)-Microbiome and Reproduction

(Level A) $98,574-$105,611 per annum plus 17% superannuation

(Level B) $111,031-$131,335 per annum plus 17% superannuation

3 years fixed-term contract |Full time

Be part of the Robinson Research Institute and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and contribute to world-leading research in reproductive biology.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled researcher to join our team at the Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide in a role that bridges bioinformatics, microbiology, and systems biology. The position focuses on multi-omics data integration, with an emphasis on microbiome studies, including metataxonomics and metagenomics, and the analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic datasets. The successful candidate will work directly with RRI Director, Prof David MacIntyre and with international collaborators on projects related to reproductive health, aiming to uncover the mechanisms underlying adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and miscarriage.

This role will involve developing and implementing computational workflows, performing statistical modelling, and collaborating across disciplines to translate findings into actionable treatments and diagnostic tools.

Applicants must possess strong programming skills (R and/or Python) and a demonstrated ability to publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals.

Established in 2008, the Robinson Research Institute is internationally renowned for its pioneering research in reproductive biology and early childhood health that spans four themes: Fertility and Conception, Pregnancy and Birth, Early Origins of Health and Child and Adolescent Health. Its mission is to deliver world-class research that advances knowledge in human reproduction, pregnancy and child health and informs clinical care, policy and practice to improve life-long health for women and children across generations into the future.

The School of Biomedicine was established in 2021 as one of eight schools within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The School of Biomedicine's research is focused on the key discipline areas of anatomy and pathology, pharmacology, physiology, reproduction and development and epigenetics.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment and possess excellent organisational and communication skills. While candidates at Level A will be expected to show potential in data analysis, publication, and collaborative research, those at Level B will be expected to take on leadership responsibilities, including supervising students and staff, securing research funding, and driving the integration of computational and experimental programs. Experience in women’s health research, advanced data management, and machine learning techniques is highly desirable.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking work in reproductive biology and make a meaningful impact on maternal and infant health.

Selection Criteria Level A

1. A completed or nearly completed PhD in systems biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, computational biology, reproductive biology, or other related discipline.
2. Demonstrated expertise in analysis and statistical modelling of multi-omics data.
3. Demonstrated experience in microbiome studies including processing of metataxonomic and metagenomic sequencing data.
4. A demonstrated track record of high-quality publications relative to opportunity.
5. Excellent verbal and written skills, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate across disciplines and collaborate with a wide range of professionals in the university, government, industry and research sectors.
6. Proficiency in R and/or python or other relevant programming languages
7. High level organisational skills, time management, including the ability to prioritise and manage workload and meet competing deadlines.

Desired Characteristics Level A

1. Experience in working as part of large, dynamic multi-disciplinary teams.
2. Experience in reproductive biology and/or women’s health research.
3. Evidence of being able to integrate computational and laboratory experimental programs;
4. Ability to guide and oversee postgraduate and honours students and supervise research support staff;
5. A strong record of research performance, including capacity to identify productive research directions relative to opportunity.

Selection Criteria Level B

1. A PhD in systems biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, computational biology, reproductive biology, or other related discipline.
2. Demonstrated experience and substantial knowledge in the analysis, statistical modelling and integration of multi-omics data, microbiome studies including metataxonomics and metagenomics, and experience in undertaking in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies
3. High level analytical capacity and evidence of growing independence and leadership
4. A demonstrated track record of high-quality publications including publications in international peer reviewed journals.
5. Excellent verbal and written skills, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate across disciplines and collaborate with a wide range of professionals in the university, government, industry and research sectors.
6. High level organisational skills, time management, including the ability to prioritise and manage workload and meet competing deadlines.
7. Proficiency in R and/or python or other relevant programming languages
8. Experience in maintaining high levels of data management and security, as well as high quality record keeping to ensure the validity, reliability and reproducibility of data at all times.
9. Experience in the supervision of research students, and an ability to guide and oversee postgraduate and honours students and supervise research support staff.

Desired Characteristics Level B

1. Experience in working as part of large, dynamic multi-disciplinary teams and playing a leadership role to junior staff and students.
2. Experience in reproductive biology and/or women’s health research.
3. Demonstrable experience and deep knowledge of machine learning/optimisation techniques as well as methods for integration/fusing of microbiome (amplicon and whole genome sequencing data), metabolomic (NMR, MS) and glycomic (array, MS) datasets
4. Broad experience in being able to integrate computational and laboratory experimental programs;
5. A strong record of research performance, including capacity to identify productive research directions relative to opportunity.
6. Experience in writing and winning research grant proposals.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you a vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences contains one of Australia's largest concentrations of leading health researchers, teachers and clinical titleholders. It's comprised of eight schools and a number of specialist disciplines, institutes and centres, variously focused on world-class research, and training the next generation of: medical doctors; surgeons; dentists; nurses; psychiatrists; psychologists; and other health professionals.

Learn more at: health.adelaide.edu.au

https://health.adelaide.edu.au/our-research/pregnancy-and-birth

How to Apply

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

***Applications close 11:55pm ACDT, Sunday 2^nd February 2025***

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Professor David MacIntyre

Director, Robinson Research Institute | The University of Adelaide

Professor of Reproductive Systems Medicine

T:+61 8313 1435

[email protected] | adelaide.edu.au/rri

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.