Lecturer in Plant Evolutionary Genetics

Role type: Full Time; Continuing
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department/ School: School of Biosciences
Salary: Level B - $124,656 - $148,023 p.a. plus 17% super 

• Support plant genetics research, teaching quantitative genetics, and working with people in universities and industry.
• Apply now to join our genetics programme and make a lasting impact on plant science and crop production.
• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities. 

The University of Melbourne 
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity 

The School of BioSciences is seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative academic colleague with expertise in genetics/genomics/ and/or epigenetics.

We are looking for applications with expertise in plant genetics and experience working in both the academic and industry sectors, and a research program that incorporates both fundamental questions about the evolutionary genetics of plants and applied questions that involve using plant genetics to improve crop production.  We are particularly interested in applicants with experience working on the genetics of barley and/or sorghum. Applicants should have strong quantitative skills as the teaching component of this position will require teaching quantitative genetics at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Undertake internationally competitive independent research, resulting in research outputs that include but are not limited to peer-reviewed publications, patents, license agreements, government reports, and research or scholarship of learning materials.
• Actively contribute to teaching, including the development and delivery of taught materials, marking, and coordination of subjects.In the capacity of subject (the University of Melbourne word for courses) coordinators, you will be expected to manage academic colleagues to successfully develop and deliver curricula.
• Actively participate at School and/or Faculty meetings and play a leadership role in planning activities or committee work to support capacity building and strategic planning in the School.
• Participate in the supervision of your research team members as well as more junior academics in the School as directed by the Head of School. As a supervisor, you will be expected to positively engage in learning and career development for yourself (as a supervisor) and those you supervise and work with.

You may be a great fit if: 

You are a passionate and collaborative academic with expertise in plant genetics/genomics.
 

You may also: 

• PhD in genetics, evolutionary biology or another relevant field of biology.
• Strong evidence of high performance in a postdoctoral research role
• Demonstrated record of industry experience within the Biotechnology field
• Excellent track record, relative to opportunity, in conducting research and publishing in top peer-reviewed academic journals
• Experience teaching as a teaching assistant/demonstrator/tutor of any genetics and/or quantitative biology subjects at the tertiary level
• Track record of successfully mentoring postgraduate research students as a co-supervisor or recognised mentor
• Obtained research funding through competitive student or early career researcher (ECR) schemes from internal university sources or small external funding programs.
• A track record of conducting collaborative research with researchers from multiple research teams, either across different units in your home university or at other universities.

For further information please refer to the attached PD. 

What we offer you! 
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including: 

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being 

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance 

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance 

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program 

For more information check out our benefits page! 

Your new team – School of Biosciences
The School of Biosciences is the home to over 60 research groups, 5 Research Centres, 160 academic staff and 240 Research Higher Degree students.  Research in the School covers a wide range of topics from discovery to biotechnology with strengths in ecology and evolution, marine biology, microbial biology, genetics and genomics, animal behaviour, biosecurity and pest management, reproductive biology, systems biology, biological pollution and botany.  The school is the home to the University of Melbourne’s first year biology program which serves 2500+ students each year feeding into a wide range of majors in the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Environmental Science. 

Be Yourself 
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We believe the diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing reasonable adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. For assistance, please contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at [email protected] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Contact details for other enquiries are located at the bottom of this page.

Find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants 
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Our Indigenous strategy, Murmuk Djerring outlines our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students. 
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected] for further information and support. 

A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for all positions. If successful, we'll guide you through the WWCC application process during onboarding and reimburse the cost.

Join Us and unlock your career potential! 
If this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents: 

• Resume 

• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience 

• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description) 

Learn more about the application process, including tips and FAQs.

For recruitment queries, email Anna Gradoboeva [email protected]. Include the Position Number and Job Title in the subject line. Please do not send applications to this email address.

For job-specific queries, refer to the contact details in the Position Description.

Applications close: 19 February 2026 at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone. 

Position Description: JR-004915 Lecturer in Plant Evolutionary Genetics_PD.pdf