Postdoctoral Research Fellow A - School Of Agriculture, Food And Wine

Level A ($75,888-$102,040) per annum plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation

36 months full time fixed-term contract

The School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the University of Adelaide is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct investigations into molecular phenotyping approaches aimed at predicting wheat genotypes resilient to the anticipated warmer temperatures of future environments.

Working within a collaborative and dynamic team at the University of Adelaide, in partnership with A/Prof. Michael Haydon (University of Melbourne), Dr. Sunita Ramesh (Flinders University), Prof. Phil Brewer (Central Queensland University), and the pre-breeding team at AGT, the successful candidate will validate biomarkers, assess a diverse range of germplasm, and analyze traits under high-temperature conditions.

Given the susceptibility of wheat grain yields to elevated temperatures, with each 1ºC increase potentially reducing productivity by 2.5-6%, innovative approaches are imperative to identify resilient germplasm capable of maintaining productivity in evolving climates. The project's objective is to develop biomarkers grounded in intrinsic thermal-responsive mechanisms to identify germplasm resilient to warmer growth conditions. These biomarkers will undergo testing across a broad range of accessions cultivated under both glasshouse and field settings, culminating in the creation of breeder-friendly tools to assess the thermal responsiveness of their germplasm and determine resilient genotypes. The research will focus on evaluating the responsiveness of three key biological processes to escalating ambient temperatures, including the heat-shock and circadian clock pathways.

The position is situated within the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, part of the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, located at the Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide. The Waite campus boasts a premier concentration of scientific research, education, and resource capacity, ensuring access to appropriate infrastructure and facilities.

To be successful you will need:

1. Experience in planning and conducting genetic and/or molecular biology experiments.
2. Experience in bioinformatic analysis of RNA-seq and/or genome sequence data.
3. Demonstrated ability to plan and manage experiments that involve growth of cereal plants under glasshouse and field-based conditions.
4. Experience in preparing and editing reports and publications in an appropriate field, and ability to lead and co-author as required with excellent skills in English-language writing and verbal communication..
5. Proven capacity to establish productive partnerships with colleagues, partner institutions, and stakeholders, while also demonstrating the ability to work autonomously and cooperatively within a team.
6. Excellent organizational and project management skills, with an ability to communicate effectively with supervisors.

Qualifications

•  A PhD in plant molecular biology, plant genetics, plant development, plant breeding or a related discipline. We will consider applicants who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the outcome of the thesis assessment.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life. Flexible working arrangements are on offer for all roles at the University.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance. 

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

How to Apply

Click on the link below to view the position description and to apply for this position:

careers.adelaide.edu.au/cw/en/job/513556/post-doctoral-researcher-a-school-of-agriculture-food-and-wine

Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description.

***Applications close 11:55pm, Sunday 17th March 2024***

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Dr. Scott Boden

ARC Funded Research Fellow C  Agricultural Science
School, Agriculture, Food & Wine

E: ***********@adelaide.edu.au

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply.