BACKGROUND:
The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) is an internationally recognised child health research institute based at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne, discovering ways to prevent and treat conditions that affect babies, children and adolescents, encompassing laboratory, clinical and public health approaches to research. Our research is organised in themes that reflect the key areas in which we strive to achieve these objectives. The themes bring together the best skills and knowledge in cross-disciplinary teams working collaboratively to solve broader children's health problems.

The Institute is seeking to expand its investment in bioinformatics from a core enabling unit to include a strong independent research component, in the area of high-throughput sequence analysis. We are seeking to appoint an energetic, experienced individual who will provide high-level leadership in bioinformatics within the MCRI and its affiliated organisations on the RCH campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The new appointee will be expected to lead research in the development and application of methods for sequence analysis with special emphasis on second- and third-generation sequencing technologies. They will also be responsible for overseeing work in other areas of bioinformatics such as microarray analysis, depending on their specific background and experience. The emphasis will be on developing a strong independent capacity for bioinformatic analysis in a field that is consistent with the major strategic directions in molecular biology research on campus.

The MCRI has a rare combination of public health, clinical and laboratory research programs on campus, which has facilitated the recruitment of a unique set of patient cohorts with a wide range of clinical conditions. Depending on the successful applicant's skills and interests, they would be expected to develop collaborations with various groups conducting research on these unique cohorts with analysis in areas of whole genome sequencing, ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and DNA methylation.

The Head of Bioinformatics is expected to work with a substantial degree of independence, reporting to the Director of CEBU and liaising closely with the Information Services Department and other key groups and stakeholders on the campus. The position is full-time for three to five years in the first instance.

Duties:

• Lead research in the development and application of methods for the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data.
• Evaluate and advise on new bioinformatic methods and software tools for the Institute.
• Lead the strategic development of the Bioinformatics Unit.
• Provide leading contributions to internationally competitive research publications.
• Obtain independent grant funding (within a 3-5 year horizon).
• Liaise with Victorian Life Science Computation Initiative (VLSCI) and other bioinformatics-related groups in the local area and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS:

• PhD in bioinformatics or related discipline with substantial relevant research experience
• Formal training in mathematical sciences including statistics
• Experience in development of methods for second generation sequencing analysis
• Strong programming skills in current bioinformatic technologies
• Outstanding publication record
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Leadership and supervision skills

PREFERENCES:

• Experience with microarray analysis, particularly gene expression
• Experience in a broadly based medical research environment

TERMS:
A full-time appointment is envisaged.

This appointment is for three to five years in the first instance and is subject to a 6 month probationary review, followed by annual performance reviews.

LOCALE:
Melbourne, Australia

COMPENSATION:
Remuneration for this position will be consistent with industry standards, within the range of Australian academic levels C to E (Senior Research Fellow $92,290 per annum to Professorial level $143,142 per annum), dependent upon qualifications and level of experience, with 9% superannuation. Generous salary packaging benefits will also be available to the successful candidate.

A start-up package will be offered to the successful candidate.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send written applications quoting position Ref# MC2409 including details of 3 referees to Human Resources, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville 3052 or email recruitment[at]mcri.edu.au by closing date: Tuesday 30th November 2010.

See https://www.mcri.edu.au/components/Staff/HumanResources/Employment.aspx?ID=832 for more information

DEADLINE:
Tuesday 30th November 2010.