Head of ANU Plant SynBio Facility

Classification: Academic Level C 
Salary package: $138,972-154,462 per annum plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full-time, Continuing (Contingent Funded)
This position is continuing (contingent funded). The funding that supports this project has an expected end date of 31 December 2028.

Position Overview

The ANU Plant SynBio Facility Director will lead the ANU Plant SynBio Facility with a focus on designing and delivering world class synthetic biology and crop genetic transformation services to support research in plant biology across academic, public sector and industry research.  

The ANU Plant SynBio Facility Director will work closely with the Facility’s Chief Operations Officer, Facility team members and the Facility’s Executive Management Committee. They will also interact with users of the ANU Facility, providing high level advice to prospective clients, overseeing interactions between clients and team members, contributing to the training of students and staff in plant synthetic biology, and building partnerships with other PSBA Network members and external stakeholders from industry and government. 

The Research School of Biology is a leading centre of biological research in Australia. Researchers have a tradition of excellence in addressing the world’s most pressing issues in plant science and food security, through world-leading efforts in plant molecular biology, plant synthetic biology, and crop genetic transformation.

The ANU Plant SynBio Facility is located within the Research School of Biology. Funded by Bioplatforms Australia (BPA), Plant SynBio Australia (PSA) is a new national network comprised of Bioplatforms Australia, the Australian National University, University of Adelaide and La Trobe University. The ANU Plant SynBio Facility will be led by the ANU Plant SynBio Facility Director.

Plant SynBio Australia is seeking to change the plant synthetic biology landscape for Australia by developing and applying new technologies to fields where they are currently not in routine use. It will seed new Australian bioindustries, ensure Australia is completive globally in the rapidly changing bio-economy, and will accelerate plant/agriculture research translation from the bench and glasshouse to the field and society.  

The Person

• The successful candidate will have experience in leading teams, such as research teams, an organisational unit or area with staff management, accountability for program performance, delivery and fiscal responsibility.
• They will have extensive experience in a suite of cutting-edge plant synthetic biology tools such as gene editing, synthetic circuitry, pathway engineering, crop genetic transformation, transient gene expression assays and molecular analysis of transgenic plants, preferably crops.
• Demonstrated high level skills in team management, communication with academia and industry, and a commitment to delivering world class plant synthetic biology infrastructure to the Australian research community are crucial.
• As a client-focused facility, effective communication and interpersonal skills are also essential.

For more information about this position please contact Barry Pogson, ANU Plant SynBio Executive Committee Chair, E:barry.pogson@anu.edu.au.

Working at ANU

This is an opportunity to work with a world class University that undertakes cutting edge research and has a strong tradition in research-led teaching excellence.

We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements including hybrid arrangements working both on our beautiful, green campus and working remotely
• Generous paid parental leave entitlements of up to 32 weeks. We are one of the leading employers in Australia for parental leave entitlements
• Designated parent rooms, quiet spaces and childcare facilities on campus
• Career support, training, mentoring & upskilling opportunities.

For more information on a range of lifestyle, financial and non-financial rewards and programs, please click here.

To see what the Science at ANU community is like, we invite you to follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please upload the following documents:

• A current curriculum vitae (CV), and
• A statement addressing your suitability against the role statement and selection criteria.

The committee may consider candidates who do not meet one or more aspects of the role statement or selection criteria.

If longlisted, candidates will be asked to:

• Prepare a five-minute virtual presentation (submitted as a video) addressing their fit with the role and motivation for applying.

If shortlisted, candidates will be asked to:

• Attend a 1-hour interview (in person or remotely). The interview will include delivering an oral presentation addressing specific experience against the four components of the role statement (1. organisational leadership; 2. business development and client liaison; 3. project management and service delivery; 4. management and administration).

If you require adjustments to participate in any of the above assessments, please contact our HR team at E: hr.cosm@anu.edu.au . Any adjustment request or the disclosure of disability will not be communicated to the selection committee without the candidates consent and it will not have any bearing on hiring decisions.

For examples of common reasonable adjustments please click here.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.