* Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation | Centre for Crop Science
* Part-time (60%) fixed-term position for up to 2 years
* Base salary will be in the range $117, $138, % Superannuation (Academic Level B)
* Based at our St Lucia Campus
About This Opportunity
We're looking for a Research Fellow to join QAAFI Centre for Crop Science and advance sugarcane genetics and genomics research. You'll lead the creation of a comprehensive Sugarcane website, hosting key genetic and genomic data to support Australian breeders and researchers.
This role offers hands-on experience in bioinformatics, programming, and large-scale data mining, within a collaborative, high-performance research environment. You'll also contribute to service and engagement activities, helping drive innovation and impact in the sugarcane industry.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Research: Lead and contribute to high-impact sugarcane genetics and genomics research, developing tools and resources (including a dedicated website) to support Australian researchers and breeders, produce publications, and secure competitive funding.
* Supervision and Researcher Development: Supervise and mentor HDR and Honours students, develop researcher capability, and manage staff performance and professional development in line with University policies.
* Citizenship and Service: Demonstrate UQ values through leadership, collaboration, and engagement in internal and external activities, including committees, operational support, and building partnerships with industry, government, and the wider community.
This is a research focused position. Further information can be found by viewing UQ's Criteria for Academic Performance.
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, access to exclusive internal-only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.
About You
* Completion of a PhD in plant biology with an extensive background in genomics
* Extensive skills in bioinformatics analysis including tools for displaying genomic features in web applications and experience in high performance computing environments and large data mining
* Extensive skills in bash and script (Perl) programming and debugging complex scripts
* Development and maintenance of web genome applications displaying genome features (Gbrowse, JBrowse)
* A developing reputation and track record of publications in reputed refereed journals and presenting at conferences.
* Evidence of successfully seeking, obtaining and managing external research funding.
* A growing record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion.
* Experience in meaningful internal service roles in conjunction with active contributions to external activities
The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, conduct concerning gender-based violence, and education check.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
Questions?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Karen Aitken at
For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at, 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
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 Sunday February 1st 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R
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.