Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.

Our lecturers and health researchers are regarded as experts in their fields, frequently directing global research projects designed to better the lives of New Zealanders and the world, and in turn passing this knowledge on to our students.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Pregnancy Modelling Group (led by A/Prof Jo James and A/Prof Alys Clark) seeks a full time Research Fellow for a 2 year fixed-term contract to undertake high quality research investigating how the haemodynamics of blood flow in the intervillous space impacts placental development and function.

The vision of the Pregnancy Modelling Group is to develop novel in silico models of the human utero-placental circulation, informed by anatomical and in vitro data in order to understand how each component of these circulations contribute to placental perfusion and exchange. This will allow us to focus on obtaining meaningful metrics of fetal health and growth in vivo during pregnancy, so that we can better predict which babies will be born too small. For the advertised role, we are seeking biomedical science applicants with a background in trophoblast/endothelial cell biology, stem cells, and/or ‘organ on a chip’ devices. The successful applicant will undertake work combining novel 3D ‘placentoid’ models with custom-engineered microfluidic devices to understand the impact of shear stress on the outer syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta. This position forms part of a wider interdisciplinary project, where the biological data obtained will inform computational models of trophoblast turnover at the villous and organ scale. Together, this combination of physiological and computational approaches will allow us to more fully understand how events at the cellular level affect whole organ function.

The successful applicant would be based in A/Prof James’s laboratory with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, but would be expected to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, that spans both this Faculty and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. This project also involves key relationships with collaborators in Australia and Canada. Where possible, the successful applicant will be involved with the supervision of honours level and postgraduate students and development of independent research funding.

The University of Auckland’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is New Zealand’s pre-eminent academic Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and has a long-standing track record of undertaking high calibre world class clinical and biomedical research.  The Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland is pioneering the development of mathematical models of human physiology and new instrumentation techniques for a wide variety of healthcare applications.

This is a full time, 40 hours per week, on a fixed term basis. The salary range for this role is $91,328 - $94,290 per annum depending on experience and qualifications.

For more information, please view the position description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We are seeking applicants with:

• A PhD in a related area
• A background in placental/trophoblast or endothelial biology.
• Experience in laboratory-based biomedical science.
• Confidence in academic writing.
• Excellent communication skills and ability tobe team player

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 22/02/2023 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above. Please note that we may close the advert earlier if we find a suitable candidate.

Please reach out to Suhayl Mohammed Via [email protected] for more information. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz