Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sorghum Genetics at Hermitage Research Station, Warwick

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)
Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50
Collaborate on crop research in a world-leading multi-disciplinary team
Be part of a vibrant community where your work genuinely makes an impact
Based at Hermitage Research Station, Warwick

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

As part of our commitment to research excellence, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and post-fellowship contracts via our UQ Amplify initiative.

At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. Not only do we have one of the largest PhD enrolments in Australia, but we have also made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers.

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to engage in research to further your expertise and growing research profile to achieve national recognition in your discipline, as part of a large multi-party research project focused on developing more climate resilient hybrid crops, funded by the Australian Research Council in partnership with GenTech and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. This project will use multi-disciplinary approaches to advance understanding of the reproductive steps which limit hybrid seed set under high temperatures in sorghum, which is a major crop in advanced agricultural countries and also for small holder farmers in the developing world. Exploiting advances in genomics, reproductive biology, crop modelling, and high throughput phenotyping, this project will advance understanding of the reproductive steps which limit hybrid seed set under high temperatures. This project is an exciting opportunity to work in a large, world-leading multi-disciplinary team to develop more climate resilient sorghum hybrids crops both for Australia and globally. In addition, there will be ample opportunity for publication and student supervision.

Key responsibilities will include:

Research

Plan, conduct, analyse and interpret experiments designed to dissect the genetic and physiological control of seed producibility and seed set in sorghum in collaboration with other team members
Ensure best practise sample and work-flow tracking procedures are implemented
Contribute to the management of project budgets
Assist with the supervision of staff and students in the areas defined above
Publish research results from the project in international peer-reviewed journals
Assist with continuing applications for research funding in the areas defined above
Contribute to the preparation of project reports to funding agencies.
Work with colleagues and postgraduates in the development of joint research projects.
Prepare research publications and progress reports and participate in regular meetings to discuss project objectives, methodology and outcomes.

Teaching

As a ‘Research focussed’ position there is no formal requirement for undergraduate teaching. However, it is encouraged that you actively seek teaching opportunities OR teach a minimum of one undergraduate subject in a school program per year and assist in the initiation and development of course material.
Actively teach and supervise at honours and postgraduate level and participate in events to attract postgraduate students

Supervision and Researcher Development

Demonstrate a track record of the effective supervision of Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.
Demonstrates personal effectiveness in supervision and management and development of researcher capability and skill.
Effective lead and develop supervisee performance and conduct by providing feedback, coaching, and professional development.
Manage staff effectively throughout the employee lifecycle in accordance with University policy and procedures.
Working to promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures

Citizenship and Service

Contribute to the processes that enable the academic team to manage the work, including participation in decision-making and serving on relevant committees.
Demonstrate behaviours that align to the UQ values.
Shows leadership of self and others through mentoring, collaboration and active participation in priority activities for the unit
Provide support to other academic positions and unit operations as needed during other team members absences.
Effectively and efficiently manage internal service roles and administrative processes as required, including participation in decision-making and service on relevant committees.
Collaborate in service activities external to the immediate organisation unit.
Actively pursue and develop external links and partnerships by cultivating relationships with industry, government departments, professional bodies and the wider community.

This is a research-focused academic position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ’s Criteria for Academic Performance.

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 3 years at Academic level A.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $89,616.53 – $99,426.59, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $ 104,851.34 – $116,329.11 annually.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

About QAAFI 

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is a unique research institute in Australia as it is a jointly funded initiative of UQ and Agri-Science Queensland and Biosecurity Queensland, part of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). QAAFI conducts research and development to benefit the food and fibre sector both nationally and internationally.

The Institute’s strengths are reflected in its four research centres – the Centre for Horticultural Science, the Centre for Crop Science, the Centre for Animal Science and the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences. QAAFI brings together scientists from UQ and DAF to conduct high-end science that delivers higher impact outcomes for industry and the community.

Details of the research interests of the Institute may be accessed on the Institute’s web site at http://www.qaafi.uq.edu.au

About You

Possess (or be in the process of obtaining) a PhD or equivalent in plant genetics or plant reproductive biology.
Demonstrated experience in plant genetics or breeding, particularly in cereals, including field-based genetic research
Demonstrated capacity to manage and analyse large data sets.
Track record of publication of research findings in peer reviewed journals and conferences.
Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience in organising tasks, working effectively in multi-disciplinary teams or individually and meeting deadlines.
Good interpersonal skills, including the initiative, drive and flexibility to achieve results.
Evidence of, or an ability to commence establishing effective relationships to represent and promote the research area at a University and wider community level, including industry, government and professional bodies.
Demonstrated ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively.
High levels of personal integrity, transparency and capability.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

Work Rights: International applicants are encouraged to apply. Visa sponsorship may be available for this appointment.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may be able to support you with the visa sponsorship process and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.