Technical Specialist - Plant Transformation

La Trobe; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts for staff and family to LaT​

Job summary

La Trobe University, based in Melbourne, is recruiting a Technical Specialist - Plant Transformation to lead plant transformation systems, including transient and stable methods in monocot and dicot crops. You will work within LISAF to develop gene editing and synthetic biology tools and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The role involves managing laboratory workflows, validating new transformation protocols, and translating research into crop and horticultural applications, with a

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent in plant biotechnology or related discipline.
• Experience in transient plant transformation protocols (protoplast, particle bombardment, Agrobacterium).
• Experience with in vitro regeneration from explants for transformation.
• Experience coordinating day-to-day lab and greenhouse workflows for transformation pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain plant transformation systems, including transient and stable transformation.
• Support development and validation of synthetic biology tools and gene circuits.
• Explore applications of gene editing across crop, horticultural, and medicinal plants.
• Coordinate day-to-day lab and greenhouse workflows to ensure throughput.

Skills

Plant biotechnology

Gene editing

Synthetic biology

Lab workflows

Education

Tertiary qualifications in plant biotechnology or related field

Tools

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Particle bombardment

Protoplast transfection

In vitro regeneration

Job description

Details - Technical Specialist - Plant Transformation

Technical Specialist - Plant Transformation

Job no: 571084
Work type: Fixed Term
Location: Melbourne (Bundoora)
Categories: Research and Innovation, HEO7, Animal, Plant & Soil Sciences

• HEO7
• Full-time
• 12-month fixed-term position
• La Trobe University’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus location
• Hybrid working arrangements

About the position

Based within the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture & Food (LISAF), the Technical Specialist - Plant Transformation will contribute to cutting-edge research in plant gene editing, synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. Working collaboratively across research teams, you will establish and maintain plant transformation systems, including transient transformation and protoplast assays, as well as stable transformation through plant tissue culture.

You will support the development and validation of synthetic biology tools, including gene circuits and genome editing technologies, and help explore their application and translation across crop, horticultural and medicinal plant species.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant research platform at the intersection of plant science, synthetic biology and sustainable agriculture.

Skills and knowledge required for the position

• Tertiary qualifications or an equivalent alternate combination of relevant knowledge, training and/or experience in plant biotechnology or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing, optimising and performing routine transient plant transformation protocols, such as protoplast transfection, particle bombardment and/or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in dicot and monocot crop species.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in performing transformation activities from in vitro plant regeneration techniques that utilise explant sources such as protoplasts, cell suspension cultures, embryogenic callus, zygotic embryos, and/or microspores.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in coordinating activities for day-to-day laboratory and greenhouse workflows, such as assisting with routine transient/stable transformation pipelines and achieving efficient throughput, using either Agrobacterium and/or direct gene delivery systems (e.g. particle bombardment) to create transgenic and/or genome-edited monocot and/or dicot crop plants.

Please see the position description for all other Duties and Skills and knowledge required for the position

• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

Why La Trobe:

• Develop your career at an innovative, global university where you’ll collaborate with community and industry to create impact.
• Enjoy working on our inspiring and stunning campuses - the perfect hub for industry, students and academics
• Help transform the lives of students, partners and communities now and in the future

Closing date: By 11:55 pm Sunday the 1st of November 2026

Position Enquiries: Daniel Isenegger, Plant Synthetic Biology Project Manager

Recruitment Enquiries: Madeleine Parker, First Nations Talent Acquisition Consultant

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005. If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement

Based Violence (GBV Code). This aligns with our mission to create safe and respectful communities.Candidates will be asked during the recruitment process to declare whether they have ever been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, gender-based violence inprevious employment and/or in legal proceedings and provide relevant information to assist in determining suitability. Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuseor threats based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation liberty or autonomy.

Advertised: 02 Oct 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 01 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time