Full-time contract until June 2023 based in Darwin
About Menzies:
As one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, and a leader in global and tropical research into life-threatening illnesses, Menzies School of Health Research continues to translate its research into effective partnerships and programs in communities across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
About the position:
The Global and Tropical Health (GTH) Division is committed to tackling key areas of public health concern, including malaria, tuberculosis, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and bacterial infections that impact on the health and wellbeing of people and communities across northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2010 GTH has established an ongoing zoonotic malaria research program in Malaysia and more recently Indonesia, with a particular focus on the emerging monkey parasite Plasmodium knowlesi, now a major public health concern in Southeast Asia.
The Molecular Scientist will work across projects examining zoonotic malaria transmission in Indonesia and Malaysia: (a) The ACIAR funded OneHealth project, ‘Evaluating zoonotic malaria transmission between agricultural activities and agricultural and forestry land use in Indonesia (ZOOMAL)’; (b) The NHMRC funded ‘Parasite and human genetic risk factors for emerging Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk) malaria’ in addition to large parasite population genetic analyses, and; (c) The Malaysian Armed Forces cohort study (ZOMAC) conducted in Sabah, Malaysia, will use molecular and serological screening of deployed soldiers to evaluate risk factors for acquiring zoonotic malaria and other acute febrile illness pathogens. The incumbent will be encouraged to pursue independent research interests/projects including those identified as being nested within the above projects. The position is based in Darwin under the supervision of the project chief investigator. Travel to Indonesia and Malaysia, up to 5 times a year for between 7 and 21 days each trip, will be required depending on future COVID-19 travel related restrictions.
The successful applicant will have:
Contact: Dr Matt Grigg on email matthew.grigg@menzies.edu.au
What we offer:
Closing date: 17 January 2021
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
For information on how to apply for this position and to obtain the Position Description and Selection Criteria please visit www.menzies.edu.au/careers or phone 08 8946 8626.