Applications now open for two-year fellowships in TB Epidemiology, Genomics, and Biomarkers
Call for Applications
Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships
Centre of Research Excellence in Tuberculosis Control on Both Sides of our Border
Closing Date: 31th August 2021
General background
The Centre of Research Excellence in Tuberculosis Control on Both Sides of our Border is an interdisciplinary Centre of Research Excellence funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council over 5 years. The TB-CRE supports world-class research aimed to improve TB control in Australia and our region through new and existing research initiatives on public health and clinical interventions, epidemiological studies and laboratory science approaches to provide new tools for TB control and prevention. The next generation of tuberculosis researchers will be fostered in the national and international collaborations of the Centre, that include Chief Investigators at the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne and James Cook University, as well as the Centenary Institute and Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.
Applications for Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships are now open, with funding available for three Post-Doctoral Fellows. However, positions will only be filled if suitable candidates can be identified. Details of the TB-CRE in TB Control are available at https://www.tbcre.org.au/
Period and conditions of appointment
The appointed Fellows will work on a specific project but will be involved in all activities of the TB-CRE. They will be part of a diverse and dynamic academic community with an interest in all aspects of tuberculosis control. They are encouraged to become involved in collaborative studies between CRE Investigators. Each position is for a period of 2 years, with successful applicants expected to apply for competitive funding in their second year. An initial 12-month contract will be offered, with a 3-month probation period. The contract will be renewable subject to performance.
Applications
Applications should include a letter specifying the position of interest and relevant experience, along with a CV and the names of three referees. This should be made online to Christiane Prosser, Executive Officer, TB-CRE at c.prosser@centenary.org.au.
Specific positions available
1) Post-Doctoral Fellow in Clinical Trials and Clinical Epidemiological Studies
A post-doctoral fellow is required to contribute to several major public health and clinical research trials on tuberculosis in high-burden settings, as well as population-based studies and epidemiological analyses across the TB-CRE. The successful applicant will be involved in the analysis of randomised control trials (RCT) focussed on optimal active TB case finding and preventive therapy strategies, build upon data collected from several projects investigating aspects of TB control in Vietnam, and contribute to our active program of research capacity building in Australia and Vietnam. A PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics or related fields is required, along with the capacity to perform meta-analyses of the published literature to define the evidence base for global policy formulation, conduct cost-effectiveness analyses, and work independently to a high standard. Responsibilities will involve mentoring PhD students within the project and collaborating more widely with investigators within the TB-CRE.
Supervisor: Professor Guy Marks/Professor Greg Fox
Location: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe & Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown
For more information please get in touch with Professor Marks (guy.marks@sydney.edu.au) or Professor Fox (gregory.fox@sydney.edu.au).
2) Post-Doctoral Fellow in Mycobacterial Genomics
A post-doctoral fellow at Westmead node of the TB-CRE is required to support the program of research in molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of drug resistance. The successful applicant will join an established team of researchers working on translational aspects of laboratory diagnostics and genomics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Studies will involve mapping TB transmission networks within Australia and in regional study sites, using advanced whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and molecular epidemiology approaches. A main focus will be the exploration of drug-resistance mechanisms at the genomic level using clinical isolates from PNG and Vietnam. A PhD in Molecular Microbiology (or equivalent) with high-level expertise in bioinformatics is required, as well as the capacity to work independently, supervise post-graduate students, organise training in WGS analysis and collaborate closely with clinical and epidemiology colleagues in field studies.
Supervisor: Professor Vitali Sintchenko/Associate Professor Justin Denholm/Professor Ben Marais
Location: NSW Mycobacterial Reference Laboratory (MRL) at the Centre for Infectious Disease and Microbiology – Public Health (CIDM-PH), Westmead
For more information please get in touch with Professor Sintchenko (vitali.sintchenko@sydney.edu.au), Associate Professor Denholm (justin.denholm@mh.org.au) or Professor Marais (ben.marais@health.nsw.gov.au).
3) Post-Doctoral Fellow in Biomarker Discovery, Development and Assessment
A post-doctoral fellow at the Centenary Institute and UTS node of the TB-CRE is required to examine macrophage responses to TB infection and identify molecules with biomarker potential for analysis in TB patients. A major problem in the current diagnosis and management of TB infection is the lack of available biomarkers to identify the active disease and to monitor response to treatment. Our recent studies in Vietnam and China have identified promising biomarkers, including transcriptomic responses to M. tuberculosis infection. This project will examine the biomarker potential will be examined in cohorts of TB patients recruited in Sydney, Vietnam and India. This proposal would suit a molecular or cell biologist with an immunological and/or biostatistics background.
Supervisor: Professor Warwick Britton/Dr Bernadette Saunders
Location: Centenary Institute, Camperdown.
For more information, please get in touch with Professor Britton (w.britton@centenary.org.au) or Dr Saunders (bernadette.saunders@uts.edu.au).
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