The Opportunity

The Strep A Pathogenesis & Diagnostics team is embedded within the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, alongside other research groups focused on vaccines, antibiotic reformulation, translation and policy research, providing unique opportunities to translate research findings into practice. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Research Officer/Senior Research Officer (level dependent on experience) to join our team.

In this role, you will lead a project investigating Group A Streptococcus (GAS or Strep A) infection that relapse following antibiotic therapy. GAS causes a spectrum of disease from sore throat to invasive infections and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) - yet why GAS persists, despite antibiotic therapy, remains poorly understood. This role tackles one of the most intriguing candidate mechanisms: the bacterium's ability to switch into a cell-wall-deficient state (L-form) that are inherently tolerant to β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin. Understanding how GAS transitions into and out of the L-form state, and being able to detect it, could reshape how we diagnose and treat persistent infections.

The role reports to A/Professor Tim Barnett, Head of Strep A Pathogenesis & Diagnostics, and is a collaboration with Professor Jeffery Errington and Dr Yoshikazu Kawai at the University of Sydney, and Professor Johan Malmström at Lund University. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to spend time in, and exchange expertise with, these partner laboratories.

Working across bacterial cell biology, host-pathogen interactions and diagnostics, you will:

• Establish and characterise host-relevant systems for inducing, propagating and reverting GAS L-forms, and define the conditions that drive the L-form transition.

• Develop novel reagents (e.g. antibodies) to detect and track L-form conversion in real time, both in culture and within host cells.

• Lead the production of high-quality publications, contribute to grant applications, and help shape the strategic direction of the research.

• Co-supervise and mentor postgraduate students and junior team members and support other projects within the laboratory.

Working in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities within Perth Children's Hospital in Nedlands, this full-time position will be offered for an initial 18-month period. Applicants must have, or be eligible to obtain, the right to work in Australia. Visa sponsorship and contribution to relocation expenses are available and can be discussed with the successful candidate.

About You

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant microbiology, cell biology or a related discipline, or will be nearing PhD completion. You will also demonstrate:

• Strong general microbiology and molecular biology skills, including bacterial culture, cloning and PCR.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture.

• A demonstrated track record of productivity appropriate to career stage, as evidenced by publications, conference presentations and contribution to grant development.

• Strong experimental design, troubleshooting and data interpretation skills.

• Excellent organisational and written and oral communication skills.

• A proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse team.

Highly regarded skills:

• Expertise in bacterial pathogenesis, including construction of bacterial mutants and infection of host cells and/or animal models.

• Fluorescence, confocal and/or live-cell microscopy.

• Design and construction of fluorescent reporters, biosensors, probes or antibodies.

• Experience with primary cell culture and histological specimens.

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, we are committed to building a workplace culture that reflects the communities we serve. We actively recruit support and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, people of all ages, and those with diverse lived experiences. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

If you meet many, but not all, of the role requirements, we encourage you to apply. We also welcome you to mention any career breaks in your cover letter to help us understand your journey.