Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow in Plant Genome Editing

About the role

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at the University of Queensland (UQ) is offering a full-time, fixed-term Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow position in plant genome editing, based at the St Lucia campus. The appointment runs from January 2027 to January 2032, with a base salary of $119,463 to $168,044 plus 17% superannuation (Academic Level B or C). The role builds and leads research in crop biotechnology and plant genome editing, working with cereal and forage crops important to Queensland, and connects expertise across crop breeding and genetics, crop physiology and agronomy, and food science.

Key responsibilities

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

Required profile

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

Applications close on 1 November at 11:00 pm AEST. Applicants must upload a resume, cover letter and responses to the 'About You' section; applications sent by email are not accepted. Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualification checks, and employer-sponsored work rights are not available.