Senior Research Assistant – Crop Research

HEW level 5

Fixed-term position for up to 3 years

Closing date: Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 11.00pm AEST (R-23486)

About This Opportunity 

The Senior Research Assistant provides technical research support. This role will support plant breeding research activities for the Hickey Lab based within the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland. The group conducts cutting-edge research on a range of crops, such as wheat, barley, mungbean and chickpea. This role provides an opportunity to work with a diverse and highly motivated team to deliver applied research outcomes to benefit the Australian grains industry.

Key responsibilities will include: 

Scientific/technical research

Provides assistance with risk assessments, procedures and/or methods for experimentation

Maintains accurate and up to date research records

Prepare and maintain glasshouse and field experiments

Collect data for a range of plant traits in glasshouse or field experiments

Implement routine analyses of phenotypic data sets including quality control pipelines

Monitors and records experiment outcomes under supervision

Presents results in research meetings

Provides general research/laboratory support, including ordering and maintaining consumables

Maintains accurate records of experiments and results

​Compiles and drafts reports on research data

Safety

Contributes to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies and protocols

Ensures the appropriate storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, equipment, stores and/or samples/specimens

Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor

This role is subject to The University’s .

About You

The Research Professionals (Technical) Job Family provides a range of technical and specialist skills and services, which support and enable research activities that span across the lab, to glasshouse and the field.

You will have:

Completion of a degree level qualification in a field of Science; or completion of a Diploma with relevant work experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

Excellent practical research skills and experience in relevant crop research methodology or techniques required for this body of research

Experience in phenotyping plants for root and shoot traits.

Experience in planning and managing field experiments.

Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues

Ability to work independently on routine procedures

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Well-organised, methodical and self-motivated

Previous experience in a similar role supporting crop research would be considered favourably.

What We Can Offer 

This is a full-time (1 FTE) fixed-term position for up to 3 years at HEW 5.  

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $74,378.89 – $82,842.92 plus super of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be in the range $87,023.30 – $96,926.22 per annum. 

For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit and review .

Questions? 

To discuss this role please contact Professor Lee Hickey –

For application queries, please contact stating the job reference number in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply?  

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section

Resume 

About the Selection Process  

To satisfy pre-requisite questions and ensure your application can be considered in full, all candidates must apply via the UQ Careers portal by the job closing deadline, or their application will not be accepted. 
 

Other Information  

Work Rights:

If you are a current employee of the University, or hold an unpaid or affiliate appointment with the University, please login to your staff and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.