POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Postdoctoral Scientist
Position Number Level/Classification ACLEA
Reports to Centre Director, Professor Steve Wilton & Associate Professor
Rakesh Veedu
Division Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapies
Institute Research & Innovation, Health Futures Institute
Position Purpose
The Postdoctoral Scientist is expected to carry out activities to develop scholarly research and
professional expertise relevant to the profession or discipline, and to make contributions to
the research effort of the Centre.
This position will perform research in Oligonucleotide Therapeutics including nucleic acid
aptamer development, which is focused on developing novel nucleic acid-based technologies
for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
About Murdoch University
Murdoch University helps people discover how to make a difference, through education and
research endeavour, and remains one of the most inclusive universities in the country,
providing students with quality education and recognised academic standing within an
engaging and caring environment. We are a university for all, irrespective of background and
social standing with a focus on social equity, self-direction and freedom of thought and belief.
With strong links to government, business and the community, Murdoch University helps
people discover how to make a difference. We are a young, innovative and enterprising
university with more than 23,000 students and 1,700 staff across Perth, Singapore and Dubai.
We are committed to high quality education, innovative research, and strong community
engagement both locally and internationally.
Our Strategic Plan and Future Horizon 2017-2027 outlines an ambitious blueprint for
development and growth, with a focus on one purpose: to be a creative force for current and
future generations.
We are clear about our two core goals: to educate free thinkers who thrive in society and are
sought after by employers; and, to provide life changing solutions for the world’s big
challenges through our outstanding translational research and innovative practice.
About the Work Area
CMMIT established in 2018 and headed by Professor Steve Wilton as Director forms part of
Murdoch University’s commitment to excellence in health and medical research. The Centre brings
together researchers and clinicians from across the university and Perron Institute to apply the
tools of personalised medicine to the treatment and diagnosis of an increasing range of diseases
by:
Undertaking cutting edge research that directly impacts on the health and wellbeing of patients
Taking findings from the laboratory and clinic and translating these into commercial products (viz. new drugs and diagnostics) or improvements in clinical practice and health policy
Fostering collaboration across the Centre’s twelve research groups with the goal of increasing
the scope and quality of the Centre’s research
CMMIT’s research is diverse and is spread across twelve research areas:
Molecular Therapy – research focusing on developing genetic drugs to treat Duchenne muscular
dystrophy and other disorders, particularly inherited disorders.
Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics – research on the development of novel therapeutic
molecules for target-specific delivery of drugs or diagnostics to specific disease sites in the body
including in cancer, diabetes and neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Motor Neurone Disease – research on novel approaches to the treatment of the debilitating and
ultimately fatal disease, motor neurone disease (MND), a disease affecting 350,000 people
worldwide.
Neurodegenerative Diseases – research is focused on molecular mechanisms underlying
various neurodegenerative diseases and identifying the genomic alterations as potential drug
targets or biomarkers.
Clinical Exercise and Cognition – research in the area of exercise and cognition on
biomechanics, physiology, metabolism and cognition with the goal of informing the personalised
management and treatment of patients
Multiple Sclerosis – research on clinical, laboratory, radiological, and genetic aspects of multiple
sclerosis, a disease affecting over 23,000 Australians.
Myositis – research on the treatment, genetics and immunopathology of immune-mediated
myositis.
Functional Genomics - research investigating the functional consequences of genetic changes
that are associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Cell-Tissue Systems Modelling - research focusing on integrating the physical, chemical and
biological processes underlying diseases such as osteoarthritis, colorectal cancer, and acute kidney
injury by using computational and mathematical models.
Sepsis Diagnostic Research - researchers invested in finding new and better ways to diagnose,
treat and prevent sepsis in newborns, adults and companion animals.
Mur doch University Position Description – Postdoctoral Scientist
Economic Evaluation of Disease & Diagnostics - researchers in the field of health
economics/health care financing, conduct cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis to examine
value for money and resource-allocation for clinical, laboratory and public health interventions.
Skin Integrity Research Group - research focussing on the clinical prevention and early
identification of surgical wound complications such as surgical site infection and surgical wound
dehiscence. The research programme includes Phase 1-IV clinical trials, comparative effectiveness
studies, validation of diagnostic methods for identification and classification of wound infection,
and the development of AI tools to predict at risk patient groups.
Reporting Relationships
CMMIT, Director
McCusker Associate
Professor
Postdoctoral
Scientist
Key Responsibilities/Duties
1. Undertake research projects on nucleic acid aptamer development by performing the required
laboratory experiments, examine and interpret results and their significance and prepare to
manuscript drafts.
2. Regularly update the research progress to research leaders and participate in research
meetings
3. Develop a scholarly research profile and professional expertise relevant to the profession or
discipline.
4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant literature and play a role in the education of others
in the Centre.
5. Consult with, and provide advice to, undergraduate and postgraduate students.
6. Develop and perform specialised and complex laboratory procedures.
7. Participate in applications for competitive grant funding and contribute to collaborative
manuscript preparation.
8. Participate in the University’s Academic Performance Development Review (APDR).
9. Undertake other duties as determined by the Centre.
Mur doch University Position Description – Postdoctoral Scientist
Essential Selection Criteria
1. A PhD in an area relevant to appointment.
2. Demonstrated experience to work under broad direction, exercise initiative in undertaking
responsibilities and work effectively as a team member.
3. Demonstrated experience in developing and performing nucleic acid aptamer technology,
molecular biology laboratory techniques & nanotechnology and next-generation sequencing.
4. Demonstrated ability to contribute intellectually to research collaborations, publications,
project designs and grant writing.
5. Demonstrated ability and commitment to successfully assist with the supervision of honours,
postgraduate and HDR students in new techniques and laboratory procedures.
6. Demonstrated high levels of written and oral communication skills in English.
Work Requirements
1. A willingness and ability to travel internationally on a regular basis as required.
2. Ability to work outside of normal office hours when required.
3. Be able to provide evidence of appropriate vaccination or immunity in accordance with
4. Australian residency or possession of a valid visa with work entitlement in Australia.
Guiding Principles and Values/Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct
The founding principles upon which Murdoch University was established continue unabated
today. We continue to be guided by the principles of:
Equity and Social Justice Opportunity Sustainability Global Responsibility
These Murdoch principles come to life through our culture as evidenced by being an institution
where the following are clear:
Integrity Respect and Diversity Purpose Excellence and Future-focus
All staff will comply with the University’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and demonstrate a
commitment to its Equity, Diversity and Safety principles and the general capabilities of
personal effectiveness, working collaboratively and demonstrating a focus on results.
All Staff are to complete a Development Review Annually. Details of the University policies on
Development Review can be accessed here. A Commencing Development Review should be
completed within 3 months of commencement.
Mur doch University Position Description – Postdoctoral Scientist
Probationary Review
This position may be subject to a probationary period, during which time the academic staff
member is required to meet set probationary objectives and pass a probationary review.
Probationary objectives are set following appointment to the position and confirmed at the first
Academic Contribution Development Review (ACDR).
Mur doch University Position Description – Postdoctoral Scientist