Research Associate, Metagenomics

• Level A, full-time appointment on a 12-month fixed term basis.
• Base salary range: $76,686 - $103,202 p.a. plus 17% superannuation.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia's top university.
About the team
DNA Zoo Australia (DZA, dnazoo.org), research initiative with The University of Western Australia dedicated to generating high-quality genomic resources for Western Australia species and a member of a global comparative genomics consortium, is looking for an experienced computational biologist to advance DNA Zoo's mission to leverage comparative genomic data to improve ecosystem stability and human health. DZA provides computational and analytic resources to advance scientific discovery through its multi-disciplinary team of wet-lab and computational scientists who work on collaborative projects both within Australia and with the global members of the DNA Zoo community.
About the opportunity
Reporting to the Director, DNA Zoo Australia, Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur, you will contribute to and lead processing, analysing, and integrating public and newly generated metagenomic, genomic and epigenomic datasets. This will include developing sustainable integrated data science products, scaling up existing open-source software packages and developing new tools that empower DNA Zoo Australia to explore, analyse and interpret their comparative genomic data. The scale of the data to be analysed will require methodological work, algorithm development and technical development. You will work with students and research assistants in the DNA Zoo Australia team to complete projects through from field work to laboratory processing, to data analysis and publication.
About you
To be considered for this opportunity, you will demonstrate:

• Postgraduate qualifications in metagenomics, bioinformatics or computational biology, Biostatistics, Computer Science or related fields or a combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• Proficient in bash, awk, Java, C++ and/or Python
• Substantial experience analysing metagenomic, eDNA and genomic data
• Familiar with open-source tools for annotation of repeats and protein-coding genes, genome alignment, orthologue identification, selection analysis
• Working knowledge of git or similar tools for scientific software development
• Ability to program at a high level and ability to work independently, show initiative, problem solve and work productively as part of a team
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and communication skills, and ability to work independently and collaboratively on scientific problems and deliver solutions
• Experience in next generation sequencing and machine learning
• Proficiency in metagenomic analyses workflows using a range of sequencing data
• Willingness and capability to lead sample collection activities in rural locations, setting up field experiments, collection of field data and samples

Note: Provision of a Current “C” class driver's licence will be required for the successful applicant.
About your application
Full details of the position's responsibilities and the selection criteria are outlined in the position description:
You are required to address the selection criteria in your submission in a separate document. For information to assist you with compiling statements to answer the selection criteria, please visit .
You may also submit an additional statement (1 page max) outlining any personal circumstances which should be considered when assessing your application. Applicants who have experienced periods of academic/professional interruption or other relevant events can include a description of achievements relative to opportunity in this statement.
Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Thursday, 1 February 2024.
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur on at
This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.
Application Details: Please apply online via the Apply Now button.
Our commitment to inclusion and diversity
UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We celebrate difference and believe diversity is fundamental to achieving our goals as a globally recognised Top 100 educational and research institution. We are committed to creating a safe work environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living with disability.

• We have a globally competitive, gender neutral parental leave policy with 26 weeks paid leave after 12 months service and 36 weeks after 5 years.
• We have on-campus childcare facilities for children aged 6 weeks to kindy.
• We facilitate flexible working, with part-time and job-sharing arrangements considered.
• We have an ongoing partnership with Pride in Diversity and were recently awarded a Bronze Employer status for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
• We have Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation and actively work to improve gender equity.

Should you have any queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, contact the Talent team at with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number and a member of the team will respond to your enquiry.