Postdoctoral Researcher: Oat Rust Genetics & Genomics

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

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.