Postdoctoral Research Associate in Oat Rust Genetics

University of Sydney; Camden; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a research program in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. The role focuses on oat crown rust, delivering genetic and genomic analyses under an ARC Linkage Project.

Key responsibilities include identifying resistance sources, generating phenotypic/genotypic data, and analyzing complex datasets. The position is based at the Camden Campus and reports to the Chief Investigator and collaborators.

Qualifications

• completed PhD in a relevant field (plant genetics / genomics, molecular biology / genomics, agricultural science)
• knowledge and experience in bioinformatics (e.g. BLAST searchers, SNP calling, GWAS)
• experience in hybridising plants, pre-breeding, scoring disease responses of plant material in the greenhouse and field
• postdoctoral experience including publication in ISI ranked peer-reviewed international journals
• experience in handling plant pathogens, especially biotrophs as well as cereal pathology and/or genetics
• experience in developing and working on research projects, including protocols, experimental design, ethics submissions and grant applications
• ability to work independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement

Responsibilities

• undertake research to identify and characterise genetic sources of crown rust resistance in oat germplasm
• generate high-quality greenhouse and field phenotypic and genotypic datasets to support identification of resistance loci, markers and candidate genes
• analyse genetic and disease-screening data using quantitative-genetic, statistical and genomic approaches
• deliver research outcomes and milestones in accordance with the ARC Linkage project plan
• plan and undertake controlled-environment and field-based experiments to phenotype oat germplasm and breeding populations
• apply established disease-screening protocols and assess disease severity and resistance responses
• collaborate with Chief Investigator, researchers, breeding organisations, industry partners and ARC Linkage collaborators

Skills

Bioinformatics experience

Research independence

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in plant genetics/genomics

Tools

BLAST

SNP calling

GWAS

Job description

• Full time, fixed-term position until 30 June 2030. Located at our Camden Campus.
• Opportunity to join a research team focused on oat crown rust in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences in the Faculty of Science
• Base Salary $117,936 - $125,896 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney has been involved in research targeting the pathology and genetics of rust diseases of oats since 1934. An exciting opportunity exists for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an externally funded research program in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. The team is focused on conducting research on oat rust under a new ARC Linkage Project designed to reduce the impact of this disease in Australian oat production.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake research to identify and characterise genetic sources of crown rust resistance in oat germplasm
• generate high-quality greenhouse and field phenotypic and genotypic datasets to support identification of resistance loci, markers and candidate genes
• analyse genetic and disease-screening data using appropriate quantitative-genetic, statistical and genomic approaches
• deliver research outcomes and milestones in accordance with the ARC Linkage project plan and agreed timelines
• plan and undertake controlled-environment and field-based experiments to phenotype oat germplasm and breeding populations for crown rust resistance
• apply established disease-screening protocols consistently and accurately, including assessment of disease severity and resistance responses
• work collaboratively with the Chief Investigator, University researchers, breeding organisations, industry partners and other ARC Linkage collaborators including Murdoch University, IPK Germany, AGF Seeds, Agrifutures and Diversity Arrays.

About you

• completed PhD in a relevant field (plant genetics / genomics, molecular biology / genomics, agricultural science)
• knowledge and experience in bioinformatics (e.g. BLAST searchers, SNP calling, GWAS)
• experience in hybridising plants, pre-breeding, scoring disease responses of plant material in the greenhouse and field
• postdoctoral experience including publication in ISI ranked peer-reviewed international journals
• experience in handling plant pathogens, especially biotrophs as well as cereal pathology and/or genetics
• experience in developing and working on research projects, including expertise in using research protocols, experimental design, ethics submissions and grant applications
• ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving matters that may arise as part of normal daily work.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University's obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.