School of Land and Food
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane Qld 4072
Australia

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in the School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland for a project sponsored by the Australian Centre for Minesite Rehabilitation which will be investigating dormancy mechanisms in seeds of Australian native plant species that are used for mine site rehabilitation. As well as identifyingthe sites of dormancy in the seed and environmental stimuli that may cause or break seed dormancy, the project will also investigate the biochemical mechanisms involved.

Applicants must have a PhD degree in seed ecophysiology, plant biochemistry, plant physiology or a related field, and experience in biochemistry, molecular biology or other pertinent areas. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program on Australian native plant species dormancy mechanisms, and assist in supervising a PhD candidate and half-time research assistant. Priority research areas include Australian native plant seed biology/physiology, biochemical and molecular approaches to seed dormancy and germination.

Review of applications will begin on July 27, 1998 with a target starting date in September 1998. Funding for the Postdoc is available for 2.5 years. Candidates should provide a letter of application, a cv, respond to the selection criteria below, and have 3 letters of reference sent to Dr Adkins at the above address.

Steve Adkins
S.Adkins@mailbox.uq.edu.au

Further information may also be obtained from Sean Bellairs, Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, The University of Queensland, email: S.Bellairs@mailbox.uq.edu.au

Selection criteria:

Postdoctoral Fellow - The physiological and biochemical basis to dormancy in selected Australian Native Species.

Pre-requisite:
A PhD or equivalent in plant physiology, ecophysiology or other relevant discipline.

Essential:

1) Experience with molecular biological aspects of seed dormancy or physiological aspects of Australian native species seed germination and dormancy.

2) Proven skills in written and oral communication with people from diverse backgrounds.

3) Proven ability to work in a team environment with a leadership role.

Highly desirable:

1) Experience in the design and analysis of physiological laboratory based experiments.

2) Experience in seed germination and dormancy mechanisms.

3) Experience in Australian minesite rehabilitation projects.

4) Experience in molecular techniques to assess aspects of seed dormancy mechanisms.

5) Experience in the seed biology of Australian native plant species.