"Postdoctoral Research Fellow"

Job Description:

• Faculty of Science | School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 18 months
• Base salary will be in the range $82,057.75 - $109,246.18 + 17% Superannuation (Academic Level A)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and innovative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team at UQ on a groundbreaking project that bridges the gap between gene discovery and practical breeding outcomes in crop science. This role offers the chance to work at the forefront of plant genetics, contributing to real-world advancements in agriculture.

The project, "Building the bridge from GWAS to Breeder through multi-omic network data fusion", focuses on transforming GWAS discoveries into actionable breeding insights. Using sorghum as a model, the work integrates large-scale GWAS outputs with multi-omic molecular networks across diverse environments. You'll explore advanced genomic methodologies, build gene networks, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to drive innovation in plant breeding.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Conduct and publish high-quality research, develop a coherent research program, and actively pursue competitive funding and research translation opportunities.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Effectively supervise and support the development of research students and staff, fostering performance, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Citizenship and Service: Contribute to academic citizenship by supporting colleagues, participating in governance and committees, and building external partnerships with industry and the community.

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

About You

• Completion or near-completion of Ph.D. in Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genomics, Computational Biology, Plant Breeding, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in GWAS and post-GWAS analysis (e.g., fine mapping, gene network modelling, GWAS boosting)
• An interest in AI/ML and multi-omics integration.
• Solid background in statistical genetics and computational biology; experience with R, Python, or equivalent programming languages is essential.
• Passion for making biological discoveries useful in breeding programs.
• Strong analytical skills, creativity, and the drive to push methodological boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
• Evidence of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia and education check. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights may be available only for exceptional candidate.

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. At the core of our teaching remains our students, and their experience with us sets a foundation for success far beyond graduation. UQ has made a commitment to making education opportunities available for all Queenslanders, regardless of personal, financial, or geographical barriers. 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 including hybrid on site/WFH options and flexible start/finish times, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr. David Kainer, d.kainer@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume, Cover letter, Responses to the ‘About You’ section. Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close September 4th at 11.00pm AEST (R-53570). Applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates may be interviewed prior to the job closing date. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible. The University of Queensland reserves the right to close this application process early.