• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
• Full-time, fixed-term position from January 2027 to January 2032.
• Base salary will be in the range $119,463 to $168,044 + 17% super (Academic Level B or C).
• Based at our St Lucia location.

About This Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to build and lead purposeful research in crop biotechnology and plant genome editing. Working within a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, you will contribute to research involving cereal, and forage crops important to Queensland, connecting expertise across crop breeding and genetics, crop physiology and agronomy, and food science. You will have access to UQ’s broad talent pool and research infrastructure as you help translate discovery into meaningful outcomes for research end users, industry and the wider community.

Key responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Research: Develop an independent and collaborative research program in crop biotechnology and gene editing, producing high-quality research outputs and contributing to national recognition and international impact.
• Research funding and translation: Seek, secure and manage competitive research funding, while progressing the translation and potential commercialisation of knowledge, technologies and UQ intellectual property.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise Honours and Higher Degree by Research students, develop researcher capability, facilitate engagement opportunities and promote the responsible conduct of research.
• Citizenship and Service: Build productive partnerships across UQ and with industry, government, professional bodies and the wider community, while contributing to internal service, mentoring, committees and University priorities.

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

For further information, please click here to view the information booklet.

About You

• Completion of a PhD in crop biotechnology, plant molecular genetics, plant gene editing or a closely related field.
• A growing or established research profile in crop biotechnology and gene editing, commensurate with the level of appointment.
• A strong record of quality publications in reputable refereed journals and presentations at academic or industry conferences.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering research projects, with expertise relevant to cereal or forage crops.
• Evidence of successfully seeking, securing and managing external research funding, commensurate with the level of appointment.
• A developing or established record of successfully supervising Honours and Higher Degree by Research students.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, including crop breeding and genetics, crop physiology and agronomy, or food science.
• Evidence of meaningful internal service and engagement with external partners, with the capacity to build relationships across industry, government, professional bodies and the wider community.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will 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 excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world-class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Ian Godwin at [email protected]. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected], stating the job reference number below in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume, cover letter, and responses to the ‘About You’ section. Please note that applications received via email will not be accepted.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualification checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [email protected] or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

 Applications close Sunday 1 November at 11.00pm AEST (R-69795).