Research Associate/Senior Research Associate

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At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The School of Physics is one of the leading Physics schools in Australia. It offers a world class undergraduate physics degree, as well as a postgraduate PhD research program for over 50 students. 33 academic staff conduct theoretical and experimental research in quantum physics, astrophysics, fundamental physics; condensed matter physics; and biophysics. UNSW is an international leader in quantum computing research and hosts the ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. Major nodes of two other ARC Centres: Exciton Science; and Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies are also based at UNSW.
The Research Associate (Level A)/ Senior Research Associate (Level B) will join an international collaboration in the School of Physics to design, build and characterise an artificial protein motor. The role will carry out experimental research to build artificial protein and DNA constructs to form synthetic motors and tracks and will characterise motors using biochemical and biophysical techniques, structural biology, and single molecule methods.
Our laboratory is located in the Biosciences Precinct where we have state-of-the-art facilities for protein expression, purification, characterisation and structure determination via x-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. We are partners in the MWAC Structural Biology Facility, which is co-located with our group in the Biosciences Precinct. We have access to state-of-the-art facilities for single molecule characterisation within Single Molecule Science and the Kat Gaus Microscopy Facility within the same precinct.
The project is part of an international collaboration that is funded by a European Research Council Synergy grant. Partner sites are located in Sweden, Germany and Japan.
About the role

• Level A ($106K - $113K) Level B ($119k - $140k) plus 9.5% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term - 2 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The role reports to Professor Paul Curmi and has no direct reports.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
LEVEL A:

• Generate constructs for the expression and assembly of artificial protein motors and other proteins.
• Purify proteins and characterise them using biochemical and biophysical methods.
• Characterise motor function via biophysical and single molecule methods.
• Use MWAC facilities to understand the function and structure of proteins and nucleic acid assemblies (DNA nanotubes & DNA origami).
• Determination of the three-dimensional structures of artificial motors by either protein crystallography, single particle cryo-electron microscopy or other appropriate structural techniques.
• Participate and contribute to our international collaboration with partner laboratories in Europe, Japan and North America.
• Contribute independently or as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and/or enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Undertake specific research project/s under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

LEVEL B:
(In addition to the above)

• Establish a personal research portfolio and start developing independent research proposals.
• Contribute to the development of applications for competitive funding under the guidance of senior colleagues.
• Participate as co-investigator or chief investigator in competitive grant applications or show evidence of active participation in research collaborations funded by competitive grants.
• Design research projects.
• Mentor and guide students and colleagues and develop the next generation of academics through involvement in supervision of HDRs (as per the norms of the discipline).

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
LEVEL A:
To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, single molecule science or related discipline, and/or relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in recombinant protein expression, protein purification and biochemical characterisation.
• Proven commitment to proactively keeping up to date with discipline knowledge and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

LEVEL B:
(In addition to the above)

• Demonstrated track record in research with outcomes of high quality and high impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence as well as the capacity for research leadership.
• A track record of significant involvement with the profession and/or industry.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Paul Curmi
E:
Applications close: February 15th, 2024
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