Postdoctoral Research Associate in Oat Rust Genetics

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

Job summary

University of Sydney invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a team at the Camden Campus. The role focuses on oat crown rust genetics within a new ARC Linkage Project to reduce disease impact in Australian oat production.

The successful candidate will conduct genetic and phenotypic analyses, develop datasets, and collaborate with international partners while contributing to high-impact, peer-reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field (plant genetics/genomics, molecular biology/genomics, agricultural science)
• Experience with recombinant DNA technologies (primer design, cloning, etc.)
• Knowledge/experience in bioinformatics (BLAST, SNP calling, GWAS)
• Experience in hybridising plants, pre-breeding, disease scoring in greenhouse/field
• Postdoctoral experience with ISI-ranked publications
• Experience handling plant pathogens, especially biotrophs, cereal pathology/genetics
• Experience developing and managing research projects, including protocols, design, ethics, grants
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with initiative and 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 per ARC Linkage project plan and timelines
• Plan and undertake controlled-environment and field-based experiments to phenotype oat material and breeding populations
• Apply established disease-screening protocols; assess disease severity and resistance responses
• Collaborate with Chief Investigator, other researchers, breeding organisations and ARC Linkage partners (Murdoch Univ, IPK Germany, AGF Seeds, Agrifutures, Diversity Arrays)

Skills

Recombinant DNA technologies

Bioinformatics

Plant hybridisation

Postdoctoral publication track record

Handling plant pathogens

Research project management

Independent and team working

Education

PhD in plant genetics/genomics / molecular biology / genomics / agricultural science

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)
• experience in recombinant DNA technologies (e.g. primer design, cloning etc)
• 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.

The University values are excellence, trust and accountability. The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion.

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. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer.

Applications Close

Wednesday 30 September 2026 11:59 PM

Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.