[Aqualist] DNA Jobs at University of Adelaide

[Tim Barrows]

From: Maria Lekis <maria.lekis at adelaide.edu.au>

‘Developing new methods to retrieve and analyse 
preserved genetic information for forensics, archaeology and ancient DNA’
2 Positions available for the above project.

ARC Senior Research Associate
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD)  http://www.adelaide.edu.au/acad/
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Job Reference Number: 15126
A three year Australian Research Council (ARC) 
funded Postdoctoral position is available at the 
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA in Adelaide 
(http://www.ees.adelaide.edu.au/acad/). The 
project is to research and develop revolutionary 
new methods to extract and characterise DNA from 
a range of unusual ancient samples including 
ancient bones and teeth, sunken ship timbers, 
stone tools, sediments and other ancient 
materials. The project is an ARC LINKAGE 
collaboration with the National Geographic 
Society, Australian Federal Police, and Forensic 
Science South Australia. The main aim of the 
project is to comprehensively re-assess and 
re-design current approaches to ancient/damaged 
DNA characterisation from the ground up, and to 
develop and extend recent new molecular 
approaches to DNA recovery and detection such as 
SPEX (Brotherton et al. NAR 2007), paleogenomic 
library construction and new approaches to sequencing.

You will need a first-rate knowledge and 
experience of practical molecular biology, and 
expertise in nucleic acids biochemistry. You 
should have a demonstrated ability to work from a 
first principles basis, with minimal reliance on 
kits and pre-designed systems. The work will be 
experimentally challenging due to the difficult 
nature of the genetic templates, but this is a 
rewarding opportunity to undertake a complete 
overhaul of current ancient DNA and molecular 
archaeological practice. An interest in ancient 
DNA, archaeology or natural history would be very useful.

The position will be supported by a full time 
Technician, and will make use of the 
international quality ACAD facilities, and an 
extensive collection of >4,000 ancient samples 
from locations around the world covering the past 200,000 years.

You should have:
§         a PhD or equivalent in Molecular 
Biology, Nucleic Acids Biochemistry or equivalent
§         demonstrated knowledge and experience 
of molecular biology laboratory methods at the most fundamental levels
§         excellent written and oral 
communication skills with the ability to liaise 
collaborate and interact with a wide range of 
international scientific researchers
§         experience with advanced computational packages

Salary: (Level B) $70,075 - $83,215 per annum. 
Plus an employer superannuation contribution of 17% may apply.

This fixed-term position is available immediately 
for a period of 3 years. Adelaide University is 
one of the 'Group of 8' leading Universities in 
Australia, in a cosmopolitan city offering an 
outstanding quality of life, with excellent food 
and wine and a low cost of living.

Further information may be obtained from Dr 
Jeremy Austin jeremy.austin at adelaide.edu.au, or 
Prof. Alan Cooper, alan.cooper at adelaide.edu.au

Visit 
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/current/  to download the selection criteria

Deadline:   15 August 2008

Your application must
§         include your résumé/Curriculum Vitae
§         address the selection criteria
§         quote the relevant reference number
§         include the names, addresses and/or email details of three referees

Email applications to Maria Lekis 
<maria.lekis at adelaide.edu.au> or forward in duplicate by mail to:
Ms Maria Lekis
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
The University of Adelaide
North Terrace Campus, Darling Building
South Australia 5005


Position no. 2

Technical Officer
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), http://www.adelaide.edu.au/acad/
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Job Reference Number: 14105

For an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded 
project to research and develop revolutionary new 
methods to extract and characterise DNA from a 
range of unusual ancient samples including 
ancient bones and teeth, sunken ship timbers, 
stone tools, and sediments. The project is an ARC 
LINKAGE collaboration with the National 
Geographic Society, Australian Federal Police, 
and Forensic Science South Australia. The main 
aim of the project is to completely re-assess and 
re-design current approaches to ancient/damaged 
DNA characterisation from the ground up, and to 
develop and extend recent new approaches to PCR 
such as SPEX (Brotherton et al. NAR 2007), and genomic library construction.

We are looking for an experienced and efficient 
Technical Officer to provide support to the 
Senior Research Fellow working on this 
project.  Your role will involve molecular 
biological work with ancient DNA from 
archaeological and forensic specimens, primarily 
using PCR, cloning, and sequencing. You will make 
use of the international quality ACAD facilities, 
and an extensive collection of >4,000 ancient 
samples from locations around the world covering 
the past 200,000 years. The research requires 
exacting standards of laboratory practice in 
order to minimise contamination, and work with irreplaceable samples.

You should have:
§         a PhD or equivalent work experience in general molecular biology
§         a strong background in nucleic acids research
§         the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
§         experience with computer based analyses of DNA sequences

Salary:  (HEO5) $50,070 - $55,874 per annum. Plus 
an employer superannuation contribution of 17% may apply.
This fixed-term position is available immediately 
for a period of 2 years in the first instance 
with a possible extension. Adelaide University is 
one of the 'Group of 8' leading Universities in 
Australia, in a cosmopolitan city offering an 
outstanding quality of life, with excellent food 
and wine and a low cost of living.

Further information may be obtained from Dr 
Jeremy Austin jeremy.austin at adelaide.edu.au, or 
Prof. Alan Cooper, alan.cooper at adelaide.edu.au,
Visit 
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/current/  to download the selection criteria

Deadline:   15 August 2008

Your application must:
§         include your résumé/Curriculum Vitae
§         address the selection criteria
§         quote the relevant reference number
§         include the names, addresses and/or email details of three referees

Email applications to 
<alan.cooper at adelaide.edu.au> or forward in duplicate by mail to:

Ms Maria Lekis
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
North Terrace Campus, Darling Building
The University of Adelaide
South Australia 5005