Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Molecular Mechanisms of Fungal Competition

• Full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years.
• Based at Hawkesbury Campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: Academic Level A $97,153 – $117,376 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Research RNA and protein signals driving fungal competition to support elite forestry symbionts.

The Opportunity
You will contribute to an ARC Future Fellowship project at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, focused on competition between beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi in soils and host tissues. Your work will build new insight into how competing fungi use RNA and protein signals to structure microbiome assembly and promote fungal persistence, with the aim of improving establishment of elite symbionts in forestry applications.

You will design and deliver original research to agreed objectives, developing, executing and validating approaches to characterise secreted signals and fungal-fungal interactions. This includes conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments in laboratory settings and in plant-growth facilities, and applying rigorous methods to generate defensible scientific results.

You will work closely with national and international collaborators to coordinate methods, share data and progress outcomes. You will manage and integrate diverse multi-omic datasets using sound data management practices aligned to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and University policies, and communicate outcomes through presentations, reports and peer-reviewed publications. Where appropriate, you will also provide advice and mentoring to postgraduate research students.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver original research outcomes aligned to the ARC Future Fellowship objectives.
• Develop and validate robust methods to characterise fungal secreted signals.
• Manage and integrate multi-omic datasets in line with relevant research standards.
• Complete laboratory and plant-growth facility experiments to generate defensible results.
• Communicate findings through presentations, reports and scientific publications.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• You hold a PhD (completed, recently submitted, or close to completion) in a relevant field such as molecular biology, functional genomics or mycology.
• You have demonstrated experience in plant or microbial molecular biology techniques, ideally including miRNA or protein effector characterisation.
• You bring experience working with complex multi-omic datasets, including managing, analysing and visualising data.
• You have the ability to write manuscripts for publication, with a track record appropriate to your career stage.
• You’re well organised and can work both independently and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Associate Professor Jonathan Plett via J.Plett@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1457B.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 12 July 2026.
• Visa Sponsorship: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

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