• Looking for a postdoctoral fellowship to help launch your science career?
• Develop genetic and processing technologies for oxidatively stable rice bran
• Join the CSIRO Agriculture & Food team for this exciting postdoctoral fellowship

The Position:

This position is for up to 24 months and will work closely with leading Research Scientists in their respective field. The postdoc will carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO with the possibility of novel and important scientific outcomes. Findings will be presented in appropriate publications and at conferences.

Rice bran constitutes about 5-10% of brown rice, which is the most nutritious part of a rice grain as it is rich in oil, protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals and highly potent antioxidants. Although the health benefits of consumption of wholegrains are well documented, the level of consumption in some sectors of the community remains low.  Commercial food preparation using rice bran oil or incorporating rice bran in food production is mainly hampered by the poor oxidative stability due to the presence of high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are prone to auto-oxidation and responsible for the undesirable rancid smell and bitter taste that renders the bran unsuitable for consumption. CSIRO has generated rice lines with significantly lower levels of polyunsaturates, which could be used for in-depth analysis in terms of oxidative stability and potential impacts on the shelf life of rice bran oil, whole grain brown rice and associated food products. In collaboration with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), further development of high oxidative stability rice through numerous biotechnological approaches will be evaluated. Further, rice bran contains significant levels of gamma-oryzanol and Vitamin E as important antioxidants. The genetic variation and oxidation-inhibiting effects of these valuable oil-soluble antioxidants on rice bran oil and processed food products derived from whole grain rice/rice bran will be evaluated. The genetic manipulation of gramma-oryzanol biosynthetic pathway will also be explored. Following concept-proof experiments, a non-GM strategy employing a powerful TILLING platform uncovering rice mutants will be carried out in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). In summary, this project aims to develop genetic and processing technologies for oxidatively stable rice bran which could be a feedstock to derive new foods and or food ingredients with health promoting properties.

Your duties will include:

• Under the direction of senior research scientists, carry out innovative, impactful research of strategic importance to CSIRO that will, where possible, lead to novel and important scientific outcomes.
• Producing quality research in the area of rice grain quality.
• Developing rice plants with enhanced oxidative stability.
• Investigating the oxidative stability and metabolic properties of the previously generated high oleic rice.
• Undertaking regular reviews of relevant literature and patents.

Location: Black Mountain, ACT
Salary: $82k to $93k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 2 years
Ref no: 58442

To be successful you will have:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as (but not limited to) food chemistry, biochemistry, plant physiology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry.  Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• High level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including at national and international conferences.
• Strong background in molecular plant biology or equivalent. Strong background in plant metabolism and biochemistry or equivalent.
• Experience with molecular techniques and/or working with transgenic plants.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team plus the motivation and discipline to carry out autonomous research.

Before applying please view the full position details and selection criteria here: Position Details

About Us

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. At CSIRO, we do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. We do this by using science and technology to solve real issues. Diversity is the compass that navigates our innovation. We provide an inclusive workplace that respects, values and actively pursues the benefits of a diverse workforce.

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you.  Find out more Balance

How to Apply: Please provide enough information relevant to the selection criteria for this position to enable the assessment panel to determine your suitability, and upload one document containing your CV/resume and cover letter.  

Applications Close:  10:59pm AEDT, 31 October 2018.